Dr. Coker is currently engaged in several research projects addressing the health effects of partner violence. She instituted a universal screening protocol in the University’s Obstetrics Clinics in February 2008 and is in the process of evaluating the impact of screening on women and infants. She received a five-year cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate a statewide intervention to reduce dating and sexual violence using a randomized design in 26 high schools across Kentucky. The intervention is a novel active bystander intervention designed to empower students to reduce violence within their social networks. She also serves as principal investigator on a National Institutes of Health grant for a five year cohort study to explore how life stresses including partner and family support or interference may impact cancer care and well-being for women diagnosed with breast, cervical or colorectal cancer in Kentucky. The Kentucky Cancer Registry and the Survey Research Laboratory are co-collaborators on that project.

• Women's Health
• Disparities in Cancer 
• Effects of interpersonal violence on cancer