Tamika D. Gilreath, PhD

Biography

Tamika D. Gilreath received her PhD in bio-behavioral health with a focus on adolescent health and tobacco-related minority health disparities from The Pennsylvania State University.  She also has a doctoral minor in applied statistics. Dr. Gilreath has a strong record of accomplishment and significant expertise in tobacco use epidemiology, substance use among adolescents and adults, latent class analysis, emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents (e.g., violence, depression, and suicidality), sexual risk behaviors, and vulnerable populations including racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities globally. Specifically, she is systematically examining differences in behavioral health outcomes for military-connected youth compared to their civilian counterparts. Additionally, Dr. Gilreath’s work in tobacco-related health disparities has elucidated risk and protective factors for tobacco use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents, how tobacco use is associated with mental health, and contributed to increasing our understanding of how alternative tobacco products are emerging as primary vehicles for nicotine consumption among youth globally. Dr. Gilreath has co-authored over 85 manuscripts and collaborated on over 150 presentations at national and international conferences regarding correlates of adolescent substance use, depressive symptoms, suicidality, and sexual risk. Her research has been funded by various federal sources (e.g., NICHD, NCI, NIMHD, DoDEA). Dr. Gilreath has been the Associate Director of the Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research (CHEER) since 2017.  Aside from her research, Dr. Gilreath has served on numerous university (e.g., University Grievance Committee, CAFRT, Graduate Council), college/school (curriculum, graduate council), and departmental committees. She also served as Graduate Program Chair of the Department of Health and Kinesiology (from 2020 to 2022), overseeing 300-plus graduate students across all academic programs (health education, kinesiology, and sports management). Dr. Gilreath is currently a Professor in the Department of Health Behavior. She also serves as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs for the Texas A&M School of Public Health.