Jamila L. Kwarteng

Jamila L. Kwarteng is an Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity's Community Health division at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is actively engaged in research as a member of both the MCW Cancer Center and Cardiovascular Center, with a focus on cancer survivorship, health disparities, and community-based interventions for underserved populations.

• PhD in Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan (2014)
• MS in Health Education, University of Michigan-Flint (2007)
• BS in Biology, Oakwood University (2002)

Dr. Kwarteng's research centers on health disparities, particularly in cancer survivorship among African American and Hispanic/Latino communities. Her work examines the intersection of obesity, women's health, and cardio-oncology, with recent studies focusing on how greenspace and environmental factors impact cancer outcomes and cardiovascular health. She employs community-based participatory research methods to develop culturally appropriate interventions for cancer prevention and lifestyle modification. Her research has evolved from neighborhood influences on health behaviors to more specialized work in cancer survivorship and cardio-oncology, with a growing interdisciplinary focus that now includes medical device cybersecurity.

Dr. Kwarteng's publication record demonstrates consistent productivity with over 25 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals including the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Advances, Translational Behavioral Medicine, and Journal of Religion and Health. Her recent work shows a strong emphasis on culturally adapted interventions, greenspace research in cancer outcomes, and expanding into medical device cybersecurity applications.

• 2025 WPHA Award for Excellence in Public Health Research
• Rackham Merit Fellowship (2008-2014)
• Obesity Health Disparities PRIDE Fellowship (2021-2022)
• Health Equity Leadership Institute Fellowship (2018)
• Richard Janz Memorial Fund Award for Interdisciplinary Research (2010)

Dr. Kwarteng currently serves as Principal Investigator on multiple active grants including 'Combating Elderly Isolation' and 'Health Videos as a Culturally Sound Approach to Integration Among Refugee and Immigrant Populations,' both funded by Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin. She has successfully secured over $1.5 million in research funding throughout her career, with previous major grants including 'Moving Forward in Health' ($900,000) and 'Dismantling Cancer Through the Community Health Worker Workforce' ($415,147). She mentors numerous students across undergraduate, graduate, and medical education levels, with a focus on developing the next generation of researchers focused on health disparities.

Her Community Health and Cancer Survivorship Research Lab operates at the intersection of public health, oncology, and community engagement, developing practical interventions that address real-world health disparities through strong community partnerships with faith-based organizations, urban recreation systems, and community health workers.