Isabel Scarinci, Ph.D., MPH

Senior Advisor for Global Cancer

Isabel Scarinci, Ph.D., MPH, is a behavioral scientist with a deep commitment to the elimination of cancer disparities in the U.S. and in low- and middle-income countries. The focus of her work is on the application of behavioral science to public health by promoting behavior change at the population level. Her primary area of interest is cancer prevention and control (including tobacco control) among low-income, racial/ethnic minorities, and immigrant populations (particularly Latinos and African Americans). She is particularly interested in the development, implementation, and evaluation of community-based programs that are theory based and culturally relevant to underserved populations in the U.S. and abroad.

In terms of methodological approaches to research, she has expertise in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and use of mixed methodology (qualitative/quantitative), particularly as it relates to culturally relevant needs/assets assessments. She also leads a number of training programs in health disparities targeting undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and junior faculty in collaboration with other universities in the US and abroad.

Scarinci is also very dedicated to community service. One example of her community work is a 10-year program to promote breast and cervical cancer screening among Latina immigrants in Alabama that relies 100 percent on the work of committed volunteers – Sowing the Seeds of Health. She has served on the Board of Directors for United Way of Central Alabama and Girls Scouts of North-Central Alabama and on the Advisory Board for the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, and the Honorary Consul of Brazil to Alabama.