
Programs & Collaborators
This page showcases the research programs and initiatives I am committed to, along with the dedicated collaborators who make this work possible.
HPVx Navigator
Funded by the American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant



Our research project aims to address health inequity in cancer prevention by examining access to HPV vaccination among underserved populations in Texas. We will apply spatial accessibility measures, spatial modeling, and graph neural networks to assess geographic access to affordable HPV vaccination and utilization patterns. Additionally, we will conduct cognitive task analysis to understand how eligible families navigate access to free or low-cost HPV vaccines, informing the development of a user-centered navigation tool (HPVx Navigator: TxHPVx). By addressing the barriers to HPV vaccination and eventually improving access to VFC providers, we hope to contribute to a healthier future for all children in Texas.
Investigators
Emory University
The University of Texas
Health Science Center
at Houston
Masachusetts General Hospital/
Harvard Medical School
Ryan Suk, PhD (Principal Investigator)
Jessica Wells, PhD, RN
Young-Rock Hong, PhD
Cici Bauer, PhD
Paula Cuccaro, PhD
Alexander Tsai, MD, PhD
HPVx Navigator
State Focus Hub: GA & NC
Supported by American Cancer Society's HPV Roundtable Emerging Leaders Program
Project title: HPVx Navigator: Your Guide to Free HPV Vaccination & Community Support



HPVx Navigator (parent project) is a web‑based navigation tool that guides people to practical, state‑specific pathways for multiple states for getting the free/low-cost human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and community resources for social needs that could help access healthcare services. It delivers clear eligibility screening, step‑by‑step access instructions, and community resource referrals—all written in plain, approachable language. This State Focus Hub: GA & NC is a sub-project tailored specifically for Georgia and North Carolina. This GA and NC-specific project is part of the American Cancer Society's HPV Roundtable Emerging Leaders Program.
Investigators
Emory University
North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services
Ryan Suk, PhD
Rachael Baartmans, MPH