Principal Investigator and Director
Naomi M. Hall-Byers, PhD, MPH
Dr. Hall-Byers is an applied social psychologist, with an advanced degree in public health. Her overarching program of research focuses on psychosocial, sociocultural, and contextual factors associated with health disparities and inequities among youth and young adults (YEAs) of African descent. Most recently her work has focused on sexual decision-making and sexual behavior (particularly HIV-related risk behaviors) among African American YEAs with a focus on cultural influences and prevention. A secondary line of research is exploring identity and contextual factors influencing the lived experiences of Black women in STEM fields. Her methodological expertise lies in utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods, often employing mixed methods, to identify potential key mechanisms and pathways of intervention to promote optimal sexual health, STI/HIV prevention, and risk reduction among YEAs.
Her academic and professional background is quite diverse and includes over 20 years of experience providing health education, program planning and development, organizational management, and evaluation training and consulting to nonprofits, government agencies, and academic institutions. Dr. Hall-Byers is a visiting professor at the University of California, San Francisco Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, and a Fellow of the American Evaluation Association. She is an alumna of the NIMH/APA Minority Mentoring Program (HIV/AIDS Research Fellow), and the APA Cyber Mentors program. She is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and is the youngest of nine children.
Education
Ph.D. and MA, Applied Social Psychology, Claremont Graduate University
MPH, Maternal and Child Health, San Diego State University
BS, Health Sciences and Education, California State University, East Bay
Research and Project Interests
HIV prevention and testing in Black/African American communities
Health disparities and inequities
Relationship formation/maintenance
Sexual decision-making and behavior
Identity shifting among Black women in STEM
Principal Investigator’s Awards & Recognitions
Dr. Hall-Byers receiving the 2018 WSSU Wilveria B. Atkinson Distinguished Research Award
Dr. Hall-Byers discussing how to build resilience in girls as part of the invited talk at the LEAD Girls of NC, Inc. Rising Expo - September 2019
Dr. Hall-Byers giving an Invited Talk called, Exploring the intersection between social determinants of health and culturally responsive evaluation. Dr. Hall-Byers served as an MSI Evaluation Fellow for the American Evaluation Association - 2017
Dr. Hall-Byers talking about the broader issues of culture and race interact with the practice of scientific and engineering research and education at HBCUs. Dr. Hall-Byers was part of a panel of NSF Investigators - February 2020
Winston-Salem State University
Department of Psychological Sciences
601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27110
