Alexa Anderson

Alexa Anderson is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee specializing in marginalized and at-risk populations, with primary appointments in the Local to Global Community Health, Maternal Infant Outcomes, and Self-Management research groups. Her transdisciplinary work bridges public health, nursing, and psychology to address critical gaps in behavioral health services for vulnerable communities.

Her educational foundation includes a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Health Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University (2014-2016; FDA/NIDA Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science U54DA036105), a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Vermont (2014; Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award T32DA007242), an MA in Experimental Psychology (2013), and a BS in Psychobiology from the University of New England (2009).

Dr. Anderson's research centers on substance use disorders among perinatal individuals—including co-occurring behavioral health conditions and harm reduction strategies—and intimate partner violence dynamics. She employs mixed-methods approaches spanning randomized controlled trials, longitudinal studies, and community-based participatory research to examine systemic barriers to care. Her work consistently prioritizes transdisciplinary collaboration and centers the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and women of color.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) reveals three dominant thematic clusters: (1) substance use and tobacco research focusing on electronic nicotine delivery systems and overdose disparities; (2) intimate partner violence studies emphasizing cultural safety and recruitment protocols for Indigenous/Black women; and (3) maternal health investigations within Veterans Affairs systems. Over 70% of her recent work addresses racial health disparities through community-engaged frameworks.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Achievement Medal for Civilian Service (2017) from the Department of the Army

Dr. Anderson has secured significant federal funding including NIH/NIDA grants (U54DA036105, T32DA007242) supporting tobacco regulatory science and women's health initiatives. Her current projects emphasize ethical community engagement, particularly the Sisters by Choice protocol for safely studying intimate partner violence during the pandemic. She maintains active collaborations with Veterans Affairs health systems and urban Indigenous communities across Wisconsin.

She leads the Sisters by Choice research collective and contributes to the Nia Imani Model of Care initiative, focusing on trauma-informed approaches for homeless African American women through the Local to Global Community Health consortium.