Nynikka Palmer

Dr. Nynikka Palmer is an Associate Professor at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), affiliated with the Division of General Internal Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She holds secondary appointments in the Departments of Urology and Radiation Oncology. Her research centers on health equity, particularly addressing cancer disparities in prostate cancer outcomes among African American populations. Community engagement is a cornerstone of her work, guided by the principle of involving patients and communities in all stages of research.

• Education: BS in Community Health Education (Morgan State University), MPH in Behavioral Science Health Education (Emory University), DrPH in Health Promotion Behavioral Science (University of Texas), and a fellowship in Cancer Prevention & Control – Cancer Survivorship (Wake Forest School of Medicine).

Dr. Palmer's research explores cultural influences on cancer care, patient-provider communication, and interventions to improve healthcare delivery. She leads the Prostate Cancer Task Force of the San Francisco Cancer Initiative (SF CAN) and established two support groups for African American men with prostate cancer since 2014 and 2020. Her work often integrates peer navigation and community advising to bridge care gaps.

Her recent publications span prostate cancer survivorship, health equity interventions, and social determinants of health. Topics include time-to-treatment frameworks, financial toxicity in clinical trials, and the role of neighborhood disadvantage in amyloid positivity for Alzheimer's disease. These reflect interdisciplinary collaborations in urology, oncology, social sciences, and gerontology.

• Scientific Awards: NIH Loan Repayment Program, Helen Diller Family Chair (Urologic Cancer), CTSI KL2 Career Development Award, and multiple recognitions for community outreach and health disparities research.

Dr. Palmer's grants include NIH, PCORI, and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative funding for studies on prostate cancer disparities, community-engaged research methods, and population health initiatives. She emphasizes co-designing interventions with stakeholders and mentoring future researchers through community advisory roles.