Ann Coker, PhD, MPH

Dr. Ann Coker is an epidemiologist focusing on improving women's health by reducing gender-based interpersonal violence's mental and physical health impact. Her population-based research has focused on identifying and evaluating interventions that may prevent or mitigate the impact of sexual violence, partner violence, and forms of childhood and youth violence. Over the past several years, Dr. Coker has had the opportunity to serve as the Research Director for the University of Kentucky's BIRCWH mentorship program. This experience led to creating of the mentorship component of the CDC-funded mcBEE project. They aimed to provide mentorship and connections between early career faculty conducting research in violence intervention or prevention. Since 2007, Dr. Coker has served as the inaugural Endowed Chair in UK's Center for Research on Violence Against Women and now serves as Executive Director for this Center.