Projects and Grants per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
I am a health communication scholar using a social scientific approach to health communication research and intervention design. My research focuses on developing and evaluating persuasive message strategies and interventions to communicate complex or stigmatized health issues, such as medical research and clinical trials, cancer prevention and screening behaviors, mental health. I am especially interested in the effects of different media and technologies on individuals’ perceptions and health behaviors. My research is international and interdisciplinary. I collaborate with colleagues from various fields, particularly medicine and public health, and with professional designers, healthcare providers, and patients worldwide.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, University Of Miami
2018
Communication, Management, & Health, Master of Science
… → 2013
Business Administration (Marketing), Master of Science
… → 2012
Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Bachelor
… → 2011
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration from the last 5 years on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
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Planning grant to support a future trial of an intervention to improve clinical trial education and enrollment
Occa, A. (PI), Cavnar, M. (CoI), Chih, M.-Y. (CoI), Ray, A. (CoI) & Stapleton, J. (CoPI)
7/1/26 → 6/30/29
Project: Research project
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University of Kentucky: Connecting and Networking for Suicide Prevention (UK-CAN)
Cerel, J. (PI), Francis, D. (CoI), Occa, A. (CoI), Walmsley, L. (CoI), Williams, C. (CoI) & Bolin, M. (Former CoI)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administr
9/30/21 → 9/29/23
Project: Research project
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University of Kentucky: Connecting and Networking for Suicide Prevention (UK-CAN)
Cerel, J. (PI), Bolin, M. (CoI), Francis, D. (CoI), Occa, A. (CoI), Walmsley, L. (CoI) & Williams, C. (CoI)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administr
9/30/21 → 9/29/22
Project: Research project
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University of Kentucky: Connecting and Networking for Suicide Prevention (UK-CAN)
Cerel, J. (PI), Francis, D. (CoI), Occa, A. (CoI), Walmsley, L. (CoI) & Williams, C. (CoI)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administr
9/30/21 → 3/29/25
Project: Research project
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Awareness of Cancer Risk Factors, Cancer Perceptions, and Correlates Among African Americans and Sub-Saharan African Immigrant Adults
Adegboyega, A., Thaxton Amanda, A., Aroh, A., Wuni, A., Awotedu, S., Occa, A., Ray, A. & Stapleton, J., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Clinical Trial Perceptions Among Patients Enrolled in a Precision Oncology Protocol at an Appalachian-Serving Cancer Center
Stapleton, J. L., Leip, A., Occa, A., Kolesar, J., Belcher, E., Deffendall, C., Webb, T. J. & Cavnar, M. J., Sep 2026, In: Psycho-Oncology. 35, 9, e70607.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Digital Tools and Strategies for Engaging Patients in Cancer Clinical Trials
Occa, A. & Stapleton, J. L., Jan 1 2026, In: Cancer Control. 33Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
Identifying communication strategies in suicide prevention education: an evaluation of infographics targeting college students
Occa, A., Francis, D. B. & Silwal, A., 2026, In: Journal of American College Health. 74, 4, p. 1113-1122 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Recipe-Based nutrition education on instagram: Evaluating visual formats and message dose
Batey, L. & Occa, A., 2026, In: Journal of American College Health. 74, 5, p. 1188-1199 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review