Kimberly Garza

Kimberly Garza is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Outcomes Research and Policy at Auburn University's Harrison College of Pharmacy, serving as Graduate Program Officer and Faculty Fellow at the Biggio Center for Teaching and Learning.

Her educational background:

• B.S. Pharmacy, Auburn University (1998)
• Pharm.D., Auburn University (1999)
• M.B.A., West Virginia University (2006)
• Ph.D. in Health Outcomes Research, West Virginia University (2010)

Dr. Garza's research applies behavioral theory to preventive health behaviors using immersive technologies (VR/haptics) to influence medication adherence, diet, and physical activity in chronic diseases. She develops empathy-building applications for student pharmacists and conducts scholarship of teaching and learning in professional identity formation and curricular development.

She received the AACP New Investigator Award (2014) and secured significant grants including NIH BIGDATA Core Center ($2.98M, Co-I) and Auburn University EmpathyVR projects ($33,280 PI). Dr. Garza mentors four current PhD students and has graduated four PhD/MS students since 2015.

Her interdisciplinary collaborations span computer science, engineering, and medicine with partners including UAB, Yale Medicine, and East Alabama Medical Center, focusing on heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and immunization interventions.