Biography

Biography & Research: 

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 the 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, vulnerable populations.

Using a mixed methods approach, her work focuses specifically on STI prevention, access to testing, and treatment for medically underserved and marginalized communities. 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 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 and 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.

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.

Education & Specialties: 

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

Research Interests:

  • Sexual Health
  • Social and Structural Drivers of Health
  • Health Disparities and Health Equity
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Research Ethics

Explore Dr. Coudray’s research.

News & Media:

View her media kit

Florida syphilis cases spike, especially in Orange County by Caroline Catherman for Orlando Sentinel on February 26, 2024

Los casos de sífilis aumentan en Florida, especialmente en el condado de Orange for Club de Venezolanos on February 21, 2024

The Inaugural LGBTQ+ Cancer Summit Promotes Equity by Richard Westlund for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine on January 29, 2024

COVID is not over: Public Health Emergency on For Your Health News from the National Minority Quality Forum on June 27, 2023

UCF Postdoctoral Scholar Draws on Her Island Roots to Champion for Marginalized Populations by Mila Chial for UCF Today on February 1, 2023

Daytona Bike Week Could Be Cause of Florida’s Spike in COVID-19 Cases by Chase Hadden for Web Bike World on April 6, 2021

Florida COVID-19 Cases Spike Following 2021 Daytona Bike Week by Dustin Wheelen for Ride Apart on April 5, 2021

UK COVID-19 variant cases have quadrupled in Florida in less than a month by Marlei Martinez for WESH 2 on February 17, 2021

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