Community Research Advisory Board

Reducing health disparities through research, education, and community engagement

The Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB) is a group of faculty and community stakeholders that host monthly meetings to provide consultation to researchers interested in engaging community members in research projects. The CRAB aims to ensure that research studies are culturally sensitive and relevant.

What is the CRAB?

The CRAB is a body established in 2001 with the mission to advise researchers on how best to engage vulnerable and historically underrepresented populations in problem solving and foster collaboration among those populations and researchers interested in addressing health inequities.

Who serves on the CRAB?

Community members, service providers, and academics with a shared interest in research being responsive to community needs and being conducted in a culturally appropriate and ethical manner.

How can CRAB benefit you?

Over 90 researchers have presented research proposals or funded research projects to the CRAB seeking guidance on:

development of proposals and study design
minority recruitment
the design and content of recruitment materials
how to address bad research experiences with minority populations
how best to inform underrepresented populations about their research
developing a systematic recruitment strategy
identifying community organizations for partnered research

CRAB Members

Donna Alexander, Women of Vision
joined 2011
Roderick Blair, Homewood Community Member
joined 2020
Carol Brackett, Allegheny County DHS/Area Agency on Aging; Black Women's Policy Center; AKA
joined 2011
Lora Ann Bray, Pitt Public Health CHE
joined 2014
Mario Browne, CRAB Co-Chair; Associate Dean for Equity, Engagement, and Justice at Pitt Pharmacy
founding member, 2001
Aurelia Carter, Community Care Behavioral Health; Disability Advocate
joined 2013
Jackie Dixon, RAD Board; Community Consultant
founding member, 2001
Dr. Patricia I. Documet, Pitt Public Health
joined 2006
Dr. Willa Doswell, Pitt Nursing
founding member
Victoria Garner, CRAB Community Co-Chair; Grants Manager, The Neighborhood Academy
joined 2018
Alaina J. James, Medical Dermatologist Skin Health Equity
joined 2021
Elaine Jenkins, Community Member; Nurse; President, AARP Hill District Chapter
joined 2011
Noble Maseru, Director, Social Justice, Racial Equity and Faculty Engagement, Pitt Schools of the Health Sciences
joined 2017
Dr. Dara Mendez, Pitt Public Health
joined 2009
Dr. Sandra Murray, Pitt Medicine
founding member
Victor Talisa, Doctoral student (BIOST)
joined 2015
Dr. Sharon Taverno Ross, assistant professor, Department of Physical Activity (Pitt)
joined 2015
Lorraine Starsky, Retired ACHD Nurse; Project Destiny
joined 2019
Victor Talisa, Data Scientist, Pitt Department of Critical Care Medicine
joined 2015
Cheryl Walker, Community Liaison in North View Heights
joined 2019

CHE Engagement

Request engagement with Center for Health Equity, such as:

Lecture/presentation from CHE faculty or staff
Ongoing CHE events/activities (e.g., journal club)
Practicum opportunities for students
Press/media coverage
Scholarships for students
Sponsorship and collaboration
The Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB)

Complete Engagement Form

Pitt’s Sandra Murray joined dozens of scientists in a call for racial equity

From Pittwire - With Juneteenth as a catalyst, a group of Black scientists, including Sandra Murray, professor of cell biology in Pitt’s School of Medicine, is calling for racial equity in science. Murray was a corresponding author of a paper published June 8 in the journal Cell. “Juneteenth in STEMM and the Barriers to Equitable Science,” written by 52 Black scientists, reviews racial disparities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) fields and calls on institutions to address them.