Todd Lucas

Todd Lucas, PhD is the C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health within the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University in Flint, Michigan. His academic appointment reflects his expertise in social and health psychology with a focus on addressing racial health disparities through research and intervention development.

Dr. Lucas's research centers on understanding the psychosocial causes of racial health disparities, with particular emphasis on stress pathways and preventive health behaviors like cancer screening. His work explores psychological justice - examining both the causes and health consequences of perceiving injustice for individuals and communities. His research approach is both psychophysiological (studying how psychosocial factors "get under the skin" to affect health) and intervention-focused (developing strategies to reduce disparities).

His recent publication record demonstrates consistent focus on health disparities research, with articles examining economic strain and cancer screening, just world beliefs during crises, culturally targeted messaging for antibody testing, and lung cancer disparities in rural poverty areas. These works bridge psychological theory with practical public health applications to address systemic inequities across multiple health domains including colorectal cancer screening, lung cancer, and pandemic response.

Dr. Lucas has secured significant funding from major organizations including the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and the National Institutes of Health. His current research portfolio includes projects on colorectal cancer screening in African American communities, culturally targeted communication strategies, and understanding racial disparities in SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the National Cancer Institute SeroNet Initiative.

As a lifelong Michigander who grew up in Kalamazoo, Dr. Lucas maintains strong connections to the state and is particularly invested in addressing the health challenges facing Flint communities. His research often involves partnerships with local organizations, faith-based community centers, and healthcare providers to ensure his work is responsive to community needs and can be effectively implemented in real-world settings.