Tamika D. Gilreath

Tamika D. Gilreath, PhD, serves as Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at Texas A&M School of Public Health. She concurrently holds the position of Associate Director for the Center for Health Equity and Evaluation Research (CHEER), demonstrating dual leadership in academic administration and health equity initiatives.

Her academic foundation includes: PhD in Biobehavioral Health from The Pennsylvania State University; MS in General Psychology from Virginia State University; BS in Interdisciplinary Science from Virginia Commonwealth University; and NIDA NRSA T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine.

Dr. Gilreath's research program systematically investigates tobacco use epidemiology, substance use patterns, mental health outcomes (particularly suicidality and depression), and health disparities affecting vulnerable populations. Her signature methodological approach employs latent class analysis to identify risk profiles among racial/ethnic minorities, military-connected youth, and sexual minorities. This work has produced over 85 peer-reviewed publications addressing global adolescent behavioral health challenges.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a pronounced shift toward military-connected youth mental health, with 60% of 2021-2025 articles focusing on this population. Her work increasingly integrates intersectionality theory with traditional epidemiological models, while maintaining a strong emphasis on person-centered analytical methods to uncover syndemic patterns in adolescent risk behaviors.

Her scientific recognition includes the NIDA NRSA T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship. She has secured over $13 million in research funding with continuous federal support from 2010-2019 through agencies including NICHD, NCI, NIMHD, and DoDEA.

Administrative leadership includes oversight of 300+ graduate students as former Graduate Program Chair (2020-2022). She actively contributes to university governance through service on the University Grievance Committee, CAFRT, and Graduate Council. Her CHEER leadership involves directing multi-institutional research consortia focused on health equity measurement and intervention development.