Akilah Collins-Anderson, M.P.H., Ph.D., has joined the Department of Public Health in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as a pre-faculty fellow in the Pathway to Faculty program. 

Collins-Anderson earned her M.P.H. at Columbia University and her Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis where her research focused on  improving health literacy, promoting mental health in the Black community, and examining the adaptation and implementation of health interventions. 

At Wayne State University, she will continue to work to improve the health and mental health care of racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. under the mentorship of faculty advisor Tricia Miranda-Hartsuff, Ph.D., M.P.H.

“My inspiration to pursue this work stems from a strong desire to address the significant health disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color, while recognizing that health inequalities are rooted in structural and social determinants,” Collins-Anderson said. “My growing expertise in interdisciplinary research has further fueled my passion in this area, as it acknowledges that achieving good health is a multidimensional challenge that cannot be effectively tackled through single-discipline approaches but requires a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse factors that shape health outcomes and empowers scholars like me to develop solutions that are both equitable and impactful.”

Her ultimate goals include addressing hesitancy toward mental health care, implementing effective stress management strategies, and developing community-based support programs tailored to the unique needs of diverse populations. 

And she’s certain the PTF program will help her achieve that. 

“I found the PTF program appealing as it offers a unique pathway to build my research skills, expand my pedagogical expertise, and invest in building relationships with scholars and local community organizations,” she said. “Being in the PTF program provides an incredible opportunity, as building these networks requires time—an essential factor for conducting meaningful, impactful research that encompasses robust mentorship and uplifts community voices.”