Deborah A. Ellis

Deborah A. Ellis serves as Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences and Associate Chair for Research at Wayne State University School of Medicine. A pediatric psychologist by training, she leads research on behavioral interventions for adolescents with chronic conditions and develops culturally tailored approaches for youth of color and their families.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Child/Family Clinical Psychology, Michigan State University
• Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology, Children's Hospital of Michigan

Her research program targets health disparities through innovative behavioral interventions, with emphasis on type 1 diabetes management in Black youth and cardiometabolic health equity in Black adults. She directs the Community Engagement Core of the NIMHD-funded P50 ACHIEVE Greater Center, which implements community-driven strategies to reduce lifespan inequality through culturally competent care models.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific awards or fellowships listed in source material

Dr. Ellis maintains 20 years of continuous NIH funding, including a recent $3M grant targeting diabetes outcomes in Black youth. She mentors students through the Integrated Learning Experience (FPH8991) course across multiple academic terms from 2023-2025. Her work integrates community partnerships with clinical research to translate evidence into practice.

She leads the ACHIEVE Greater Center's community engagement arm, collaborating with stakeholders to co-design interventions that address systemic barriers in healthcare access and outcomes for marginalized populations.