Gary G. Bennett, Ph.D., Lab Director
Gary G. Bennett is an assistant professor of Society, Human Development and Health at the Harvard School of Public Health. He holds a joint appointment as an assistant professor in the Center for Community-Based Research in the Department of Medical Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Bennett received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morehouse College. He completed his graduate studies in clinical psychology (with a focus in behavioral medicine) at Duke University. Following a clinical internship in clinical health psychology at the Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Bennett pursued postdoctoral studies in social epidemiology as an Alonzo Smythe Yerby Research Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Evelyn Stein, LLM, MPH, Assistant Director
Evelyn Stein completed her Law degree from the University of Tel Aviv in Israel; she then received a Masters in Health Law from the University of Toronto in Canada. Her passion for working in public health brought her to Boston where she worked at the Latino Health Institute in a variety of policy and advocacy programs to improve the health of immigrants in the US.
While completing her MPH at Boston University, Evelyn developed a great interest in understanding health behavior through research while at the same time protecting the rights of research participants. For nearly 10 years, Evelyn has worked in different capacities for the Center for Community-Based Research mainly in nutrition and physical activity studies in a variety of settings such health centers and worksites. As a Senior Project Director for some of Dr. Bennett’s studies, Evelyn continues her professional interests in understanding and promoting health at the community level while also protecting the rights of individuals in research studies.
Julie Goldman, MSSA, MS, Project Director
Julie is a Project Director at Dana Farber’s Center for Community-Based Research for a study that aims to improve control of weight and blood pressure in a low income, racially diverse population. A graduate of Brown University, Julie received a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University and a master of science degree from Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Maternal and Child Health. Prior to coming to Dana Farber, she most recently worked as a Program Director for both the Harvard School of Public Health and the American Cancer Society. During her career she has directed public health initiatives in many different areas, including cancer, women’s health, substance abuse, adult and childhood activity and obesity, lead poisoning prevention and childhood asthma.
Julie is passionate about working to correct health disparities and helping to provide access to health care for at-risk populations. She also has a keen interest in advocacy and changing policy through legislative channels.
Sandy Askew, Senior Research Assistant
Sandy Askew is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a dual Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English. She is currently working as a research assistant in the Center for Community Based Research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Her interests include coping mechanisms and their influence on both psychological and physiological disease, as well as, the study and development of behavioral interventions at both an individual and community level. Her current work in research is aimed at helping to understand and reduce racial disparities in cancer risk factors.
Charlette Steed, Research Assistant
Charlette Steed obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience from Williams College. Charlette is working on our “Make-the-Move” and “Blood Spot” studies, investigating physical activity levels and stress biomarkers among Blacks. Her long-term interests include pursuing a career in medicine, with an objective of providing care in an underserved community. Her ultimate goal is to work to help alleviate the health-care disparities that affect the African-African community.
