Rena Patel Lab
Hosting: Information Session & Interview Room
Department: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
Lab Description
Dr. Patel is a physician-scientist who conducts mixed methods research, using both qualitative and quantitative tools, in HIV, reproductive health, and health equity in the U.S., Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana. She serves as the Assistant Director of the UAB Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center where she continues examining social determinants of health in HIV and beyond and leading community engagement in big data efforts. She mentors undergraduates, medical students, graduate students, residents, clinical and postdoctoral scholars, and junior faculty at U.S. and African institutions. She has mentored 30+ individuals to date, ranging from career development to research mentorship sustained over multiple years, and she has supported 30+ publications with the mentees as first-authors. Some of her mentees have secured NIH grants (e.g., K23 or supplements) and many have gone to successful careers in academia or public health.
Her research group has a specific focus on nurturing the next generation of biomedical researchers whose backgrounds and experiences reflect diverse needs. Her research group covers diverse topics expertise, including for HIV, women’s health, health equity, social, political, and structural determinants of health, as well as methods expertise, including cohort studies, clinical trials, pharmaco-kinetic and -vigilance studies, big data, clinical informatics, qualitative data collection, and community-engaged sciences.
Applicant Information
The postdoc can partake in many of the above research activities or projects, and specific projects can be discussed on an individual basis, based on interest, timing, etc.
Fun Facts about the PI
I can bake macaroons! And love swimming, to the point I am convinced I was a dolphin in a previous incarnation.