Chinekwu Obidoa

Dr. Chinekwu Obidoa serves as Associate Professor of Global Health Studies and Africana Studies within Mercer University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise bridging public health, geography, and African studies.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Ph.D. in Public Health: Social and Behavioral Health (University of Connecticut)
• M.S. in International and Area Studies: African Studies (Central Connecticut State University)
• M.P.H. in Public Health (University of Connecticut)
• M.A. in Geography: Medical (University of Connecticut)
• B.Sc (Hons.) in Geography (University of Nigeria)

Dr. Obidoa's research centers on the social and spatial epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, youth sexual risk-taking behaviors, emerging adult health, and globalization's health implications in Africa. With 15+ years of HIV/AIDS research experience, she has conducted spatial epidemiological studies in Nigeria and examined HIV risk factors among young women and teen pregnancy in Macon, Georgia. Her NIH-funded work explores sexual risk contexts for emerging adults in Middle Georgia, integrating medical geography, public health, and international studies methodologies.

Current research initiatives include:

• Exploring Sexual Risk-Taking among African American Youth in Macon
• Coalition for HIV/AIDS Research and Intervention in Middle Georgia
• Mental Health of African Immigrant Youth
• Teen Pregnancy in Middle Georgia
• Africa Film Series

Prestigious recognitions encompass:

• New Investigator in Global Health Award (Global Health Council, 2006)
• REIDS Fellowship (Yale University, 2014-2016)
• Population Health Equity Fellowship (Harvard, 2016)
• Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship (2018)
• Lilly Faculty Fellowship (2023-2025)

She directs significant grant-funded collaborations including the NIH-sponsored Middle Georgia sexual risk study and the Coalition for HIV/AIDS Research, while teaching core courses such as Medical Geography, Global Health Policy, and HIV/AIDS in Africa. Her Groover Hall laboratory supports community-based research partnerships across Middle Georgia.