Hi, I’m Dr. coudray
Hi, I’m Makella S. Coudray, PhD, MPH, CPH, I’m an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Director and Principal Investigator of the Sexual Health, Equity, and Empowerment Research (SHEER) Lab. I’m a sexual epidemiologist and implementation scientist leading dynamic research around sexual health for medically underserved populations.
I’m passionate about advancing sexual and reproductive health equity through rigorous, community-engaged research with a focus on expanding access to care for medically underserved and historically marginalized populations. Through this newsletter, I’m bringing insights from our lab’s work and broader conversations in sexual health directly to you.
What This Newsletter Is About?
The Sexual Health Equity & Empowerment Research Insights Newsletter is designed to be a space where research evidence meets real-world context. Here you’ll find:
- SHEER Lab highlights- updates on current projects, findings, and community-engaged research initiatives.
- Discussion on emerging issues in sexual and reproductive health equity and empowerment.
- Evidence-based summaries on topics like STI prevention, access to testing and treatment, and improving health outcomes.
My goal is to share evidence-based research that you can apply or share, whether you’re in public health practice, research, policy, advocacy, or simply curious about advancing equity in sexual health.
Who Should Sign Up?
This newsletter is for you if you care about sexual and reproductive health, and community-engaged research. It will resonate especially with:
- Researchers & academics across public health, medicine, social science, and implementation science
- Clinicians & health practitioners focused on STI prevention, reproductive care, and underserved populations
- Advocates & community partners working on structural change and equitable health services
- Students & trainees building careers in epidemiology, health promotion, and equity-focused research
- Policy makers & program leaders interested in evidence-informed, equitable health policies
If you’re committed to centering justice and equity in how we understand and improve sexual health this community is for you.
How You Can Connect and Engage
We aren’t just sharing information, we’re building community and forging collaborations. I welcome your comments, perspectives, and topic suggestions for future issues — let’s shape this space together.
I’m looking forward to growing this community — one where we exchange knowledge, uplift each other’s work, and advance equitable sexual health outcomes for all.
Contact: sheer@ucf.edu
The SHEER Lab 