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EdD, Health Education, Columbia University, Teachers College
MPH, Community Health, City University of New York
BS, Health Science, State University of New York

Health education, SBIRT, maternal health, sexual and gender minority, harm reduction, substance use, marijuana/cannabis policy, project management, social determinants of health, incarceration

Minerva Francis earned her doctorate in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University and a candidate of an Advanced Certificate in Project Management at the School of Professional Studies, City University of New York (CUNY).  In 2018, Minerva joined the NIDA-funded Behavioral Sciences Training (BST) in Drug Abuse Research program as a predoctoral fellow. Her dissertation research focused on the collateral consequences of drug policy on black family structure. As a member of the Attachment and Health Disparities Lab led by Dr. Stephanie Cook, Ms. Francis’ program of research also focuses on the health of sexual and gender minorities.

Prior to BST, Minerva co-led a multi-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-funded study that trained undergraduate health profession students, college faculty and community partners on substance use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT).  Minerva has also coordinated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research activities for CUNY, and remains a STEM enthusiast since 2007.  Throughout her academic and professional career, she has explored social determinants of health and has implemented education strategies to achieve health equity for vulnerable populations.

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