Niko Verdecias-Pellum
Assistant Professor,
College of Health Solutions
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College of Health Solutions Phoenix, AZ 85004
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Mail code: 9020Campus: Dtphx
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Long Bio
Niko Verdecias is an assistant professor of population health in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University (ASU). Prior to joining ASU, Verdecias was a postdoctoral research fellow at Washington University in St. Louis’ Health Communication Research Lab in the Brown School. She was also a Scholar in the NIH Implementation Science Program. Verdecias holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Syracuse University, a master's of public health from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and her doctorate in public health from Drexel University. While at Drexel, she was the first student recipient of the Public Health Practice Award. This award was previously only granted to faculty. With more than 15 years in public health, she has led various studies funded by Health Resources and Services Administration Special Projects of National Significance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health. Verdecias’ primary areas of interest are related to health disparities and inequities in marginalized populations with a particular interest in diabetes and related chronic disease comorbidities. As a community-engaged researcher, and implementation and intervention scientist, Verdecias’ research aims to develop sustainable and tailored evidence-based interventions to improve diabetes self-management, reduce multi-morbidity risk, and empower self-efficacy by reducing the severity of social needs among racially and economically diverse adults living with diabetes.
Education
- Postdoctoral fellowship: Washington University in St. Louis
- Dr.PH. Drexel University
- MPH. SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- B.S. Psychology, Syracuse University
Google Scholar URL
Research Interests
Social determinants of health and social needs, diabetes, chronic disease comorbidity, health disparities, health equity, intervention science, dissemination and implementation science, community-engaged research, and mixed methods.
Research Group
RADx® Underserved Populations NIH COVID-19 Research Consortium:
- Video: Partnering with 2-1-1 helplines to understand and increase COVID-19 testing and vaccination in underserved populations https://warpwire.duke.edu/w/JVEGAA/
Publications
Select Publications:
- Martinelli, S; Verdecias, N; McCoy, M; Mishra, S; Reddy, S. (2024) The Hunger Cliff in the US: Fortifying the Food Security Safety Net for Families in Need. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Under Review.
- Verdecias, N; Carroll-Scott, A; Silverman, C; Yudell, M. (2024) Inequities in Community-Engaged Autism Research: Community Member Perspectives. Progress in Community Health Partnerships. In Press.
- Kroll, C; Johnson, M; Kepper MM; Verdecias, N; Kreuter MW. (2024) “I don’t really pay attention to the racial stuff very much”: An exploratory qualitative analysis of St. Louis residents’ explanations of COVID-19’s racial disparities. Preventing Chronic Disease. In press.
- Martinelli, S; McCoy, M; Reddy, S; Verdecias, N; Mishra, S. (1/22/24) Arizona opinion: The critical role of free school meals. Op Ed; Arizona Daily Star. https://tucson.com/opinion/column/arizona-opinion-the-critical-role-of-free-school-meals/article_e33e71e0-b554-11ee-a98c-0b087ec0a33b.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share
- Verdecias, N; Steensma, J; Kreuter M; Bernhardt, J. Enhancing dissemination through marketing and distribution systems: A vision for public health; In Textbook Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press; Published Fall 2023.
- McQueen, A; de la Vega, T; Marsh, A; Kroll, C; Poor, T; Verdecias, N; Caburnay, C; Kreuter, M. (2023) Trusted sources for COVID-19 testing and vaccination: Lessons for future health communication. Journal of Communication in Healthcare. E-pub ahead of print DOI: 10.1080/17538068.2023.2255408.
- Verdecias, N; McQueen, A; Von Nordheim, D; L; Broussard, D; Smith, R; Kreuter, M. (2023) Diabetes Distress in a Medicaid Sample: The Role of Psychosocial and Health-Related Factors. Diabetes and Its Complications.37(7):108495. DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108495
- Reddy, S; Saxon, M; Verdecias, N; Biviji, R, Don, R; Kizer, E; Mishra, S. (2023) Parallel Crisis by State Lines: The Unintended Consequences of Dobbs in Health Care. Clinics in Medicine; 5(1):1051
- McQueen, A; Charles, C; Staten, J; Broussard, DJ; Smith, RE; Verdecias, N; Kreuter, MW. (2022) Social needs are associated with greater anticipated needs during an emergency and desire for help in emergency preparedness planning. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.1-5.17:e279. DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2022.208. PMID: 36239053; PMCID: PMC9918631
- Garg, R; Muhammad, SN; Cabassa, LJ; McQueen, A; Verdecias, N; Greer, R; Kreuter, M. (2022) Transportation and other social needs as markers of mental health conditions. Journal of Transport & Health. 25:101357. DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2022.101357
- McQueen, A; Li, L; Verdecias, N; Broussard, D; Herrick, C; Brown, D; Kreuter, MW. (2021) Examining social needs and their associations with health outcomes and healthcare utilization among Medicaid beneficiaries. Population Health Management. 24(6):681-690. DOI: 10.1089/pop.2021.0065 PMID: 33704849 PMCID: PMC8433262
- Verdecias, N; Garg, R; Steensma, J; McQueen, A; Greer, R; Kreuter, M. (2020) Expressed and unexpressed social needs in low-income adults in the US. Health and Social Care in the Community. 00:1–8. https://doi. org/10.1111/hsc.13265. PMID: 33378603; PMCID: PMC8243392
- Verdecias, N; McQueen, A; Li, L; Baddam, CDR; Smith, R; Kreuter, M. (2020) Examining the intersection between unmet social needs, chronic disease comorbidities, and emergency room utilization among Medicaid beneficiaries with diabetes. Diabetes. 69 (Supplement 1):743-P DOI: 10.2337/db20-743-P
- Martinez-Donate, AP; Verdecias, N; Zhang, X; Gonzalez-Fagoaga, E; Asadi-Gonzalez, A; Guendelman, S; Amuedo-Dorantes, C: Rangel, MG. (2020) Examining the health profile and healthcare access of Mexican migrants traversing the Northern Mexican border. Medical Care. 58(5):474-482.
- Huynh, TB; Doan, N; Trinh, N; Verdecias, N; Stalford, S; Carroll-Scott, A. (2019) Factors influencing health and safety practices among Vietnamese nail salon technicians and owners: a qualitative study. Journal of Industrial Medicine. 62(3): 244-252.
- Blank, AE; Fletcher, J; Verdecias, N; Garcia, I; Blackstock, O; Cunningham, C. (2015) Factors associated with retention and viral suppression among a cohort of HIV+ women of color. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 29 Suppl 1:S27-35
Research Activity
- 2022-present Assistant Professor of Population Health for Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions; Phoenix, AZ
- 2021-2022 Co-Investigator for three COVID-19 information, testing, vaccination, and health communication messaging grants; CDC- and NIH-funded; Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
- 2020-2022 Scholar in the Institute for Implementation Science Scholars (IS-2)
- 2019-2020 Lead Qualitative Consultant for National Science Foundation: Ethical Autism Research and Community Engagement; Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
- Summer 2018 Graduate Assistant for West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhood; Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health & the Urban Health Collaborative, Philadelphia, PA
- Spring - Summer 2018 Qualitative Analytical Consultant for a Vietnamese Nail Salon worker study; Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
- 2017-2019 Evaluator (Research Fellow) for the Master of Public Health program redesigned curriculum; Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
- 2016-2017 Graduate Assistant for the Migrante study; Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
- 2014-2017 Graduate Assistant and Project Coordinator for the Evaluation of Philadelphia Mental Health First Aid study; Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
- 2009-2015 Project Director for Innovations in Enhancing Access to and Retention in Quality HIV Care for Women of Color Initiative (Evaluation Center); Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center Departments of Family and Social Medicine, Bronx, NY
- 2007-2009 Project Director for Innovations in Oral Health Care and HIV Initiative (Demonstration Site); Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center Departments of Family and Social Medicine, Bronx, NY
- 2006-2007 Research and Data Consultant for the Acute Coronary Syndrome Study; SUNY Downstate Medical Center Departments of Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Brooklyn, NY
Courses
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| POP 692 | Research |
| POP 615 | Organizational Behavior |
2024 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CHS 340 | Health Theory |
| CHS 340 | Health Theory |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CHS 340 | Health Theory |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| POP 615 | Organizational Behavior |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CHS 340 | Health Theory |
Presentations
Courses Taught:
- PHBL 505 Qualitative Data and Mixed Methods Analysis; Online; Graduate level core course; Spring 2021 at Drexel University
- PHBL 101 Introduction to Public Health; In-person and online versions; Undergraduate level course; Fall 2017 - Spring 2020 at Drexel University
- PHBL 550 Program Planning and Evaluation; In-person; Graduate level major specific requirement; Spring 2016 and 2017 (Teaching Assistant) at Drexel University
- PHBL 540 Prevention Principals and Practice; In-person; Graduate level requirement; Fall 2015 and 2016 (Teaching Assistant) at Drexel University
Invited Guest Lectures:
- Spring 2022; M19-559 Dissemination and Implementation Science at Washington University in St. Louis; Lecture title: Using CBPR to examine care management approaches towards CVD risk assessment and reduction involving people of color living with HIV/AIDS
- Spring 2018; Brown Bag Lunch presentation to MPH LEAP Pathway students at Thomas Jefferson University College of Population Health; Lecture title: Care management approaches towards CVD risk assessment and reduction involving people of color living with HIV/AIDS
Honors / Awards
- 2019 Recipient of the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health - Public Health Practice Award
- 2016-2018 Three time recipient of the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health Conference Travel Award
- 2014-2016 Recipient of the Drexel University Provost Fellowship
Professional Associations
- 2020-present: American Diabetes Association
- 2008-present: American Public Health Association
- 2018-2019: Drexel University - Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health Group
- 2008-2013: Public Health Association of New York City (PHANYC)
- 2008-2012: PHANYC Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Committee
Graduate Faculties / Mentoring History
- 2023-present: Postdoctoral Fellow Mentor
- 2023- present: PhD Graduate Advisor
- Spring 2021- Spring 2022: Practicum Field Instructor for two graduate students at Washington University in St. Louis
- 2008 - 2009: Practicum and Capstone Preceptor, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY; Mentored two Lehman College MPH students through their capstone experiences. Projects entailed qualitative analysis of data from an HIV and Oral Health Patient Navigator study for which I was the Project Director.
Work History
July 2023: ASU News Feature, ASU study: How outside stressors affect those with diabetes-related distress. https://news.asu.edu/20230626-asu-study-how-everyday-stresses-affect-th…
Feb 2023: Expert Guest Respondent, PBS TV show – Arizona Horizon; Content: Black History Month - healthcare disparities and inequities affecting the Black community. https://video.azpbs.org/video/healthcare-disparity-ukraine-anniversary-…
Service
- 2023-present Grant reviewer for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Healthcare Effectiveness and Outcomes Research Study Section
- 2022 Manuscript peer reviewer for Health Education and Behavior
- 2022 Manuscript peer reviewer for AIDS and Behavior
- 2017 Abstract peer reviewer for the American Public Health Association Annual Conference