Biography

Makella S. Coudray, PhD, MPH, CPH is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She is Director and Principal Investigator of the Sexual Health, Equity, and Empowerment Research (SHEER) Lab. Dr. Coudray is an epidemiologist and implementation scientist leading dynamic research around sexual health for underserved, minority populations.

Using a mixed methods approach, her work focuses specifically on STI prevention, access to testing, and treatment for racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities. It’s critical that people, especially disadvantaged populations, have access to STI testing at a time when rates of infection are rising in the US for curable diseases like syphilis.

Dr. Coudray advocates for sexual health equity that encourages respectful, positive sexual relationships and prevents STIs through greater access to testing and treatment. She teaches a class titled Health System Science 2: Understanding the System, a discussion-based course in which students build skills to find solutions to real-world issues.

Through the SHEER Lab, she mentors graduate and undergraduate students, conducting research on STI prevention, greater access to testing, and understanding people’s perceptions of their sexual health. One project, Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Risk and Prevention (STRiP-T), aims to address the high rate of STIs among trans women by exploring new screening options and providing greater access to testing. Her work is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Coudray is an HIV, Infectious Disease, and Global Health Implementation Research Institute (HIGH IRI) alumnus. She’s an Advisory Board Member of the South Florida Transgender Medical Consortium, which educates professionals in transgender health care. She’s on the Membership Committee for the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association.

Dr. Coudray was born and raised in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and has maternal ties to Guyana. She advocates for disadvantaged populations because, as someone from a multicultural minority background, she understands the systemic issues and social inequalities they face.

Dr. Makella S. Coudray has a PhD in Public Health (Epidemiology) from Florida International University and a CPH (Certified in Public Health) credential from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). She got her Master’s in Public Health (MPH) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology from St. George’s University in Grenada.

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Education, Training, & Research: 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology, Florida International University

Masters in Public Health (MPH), St. George’s University, Grenada

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology, St. George’s University, Grenada

Certified in Public Health (CPH), National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE)

Specialties:

Dr. Makella Coudray’s research advances sexual health equity, especially for marginalized populations, including transgender women, cisgender women, and racial and ethnic minorities.

She is the Director and Principal Investigator of the Sexual Health, Equity, and Empowerment Research (SHEER) Lab.

Research Interests:

-Sexual Health

-HIV/STI risk and prevention

-Sexual and Gender Minority Health

-Social and Structural Drivers of Health

-Health Disparities and Health Equity

-COVID-19

Explore Dr. Coudray’s research.

Recent Publications: 

Read Dr. Makella Coudray’s publications on her website.

Find her upcoming and past speaking engagements.

Coudray MS, Hansel S, Alesci S, Meyer WA, Christenson R, Landry LG, Edwards C, Puckrein G, Akinboboye O. Vitamin D Levels and SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Medically Underserved Populations: A Cross-Sectional Study. Viruses. 2024; 16(639).

Coudray MS, Hansel S, Mata-McMurry LV, Ilyasova D, Lee L, Chalasani N, Edwards C, Puckrein G, Meyer WA, Landry LG, Wiltz G, Sampson M, Brandt Dee T, Gregerson P, Barron C, Jeffrey Marable J, Akinboboye O. The Minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study: Design and Baseline Characteristics of a Minority Cohort. Population Health Management. 2023; 26(6).

Matas JL, Landry LG, Lee L, Hansel S, Coudray MS, Mata LV, Chalasani N, Xu L, Stair T, Edwards C, Puckrein G, Meyer WA, Wilts G, Sampson M, Gregerson P, Barron C, Marable J, Akinboboye O, Ilyasova D. Demographic Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Underserved Communities. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2023; 9:e34163. doi: 10.2196/34163.

Cyrus E, Lama J, Sanchez J, Leon S, Villaran M, Vagenas P, Sullivan D, Vu D, Coudray MS, Altice F. Substance Use and other Correlates of HIV infection among transwomen and men who have sex with men in Perú: Implications for Targeted HIV Prevention Strategies for Transwomen. PLOS Global Public Health. 2023; 3(1): e0001464.

Cyrus E, Sanchez J, Madhivanan P, Lama JR, Bazo AC, Valencia J, Leon SR, Villaran M, Panagiotis V, Sciaudone M, Vu D, Coudray MS, Altice FL. Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence, Substance Use Disorders and Depression among Incarcerated Women in Lima, Peru. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18,11134.