Martina Thomas
I am originally from Brooklyn, New York, and have lived throughout different parts of the U.S. I just realized that I usually gravitate toward areas by large bodies of water (i.e. Atlantic and Pacific).
I graduated with a B.S. degree in biology at the University of Montevallo in 2006. After a few bumps along the road to graduate school, and a stint in Tampa, Florida, (Gulf of Mexico, see!) I decided to move back to "Sweet Home Alabama".
Under the direction of Dr. DeCaro, I was able to complete my thesis entitled, "Perceptions of Body Image Among African American Women and Their Daughters in Mobile, Alabama." I have also assisted in teaching Physical Anthropology and Population, Health and Human Origins in the anthropology department. I am now in the Ph.D. program as a McNair Fellow and am enjoying the journey!
My current research interests include stigma and its role in HIV among minority populations. I hope to investigate this relationship more fully in my dissertation as Dr. DeCaro's student.
Some of my other interests include health behaviors, child development, religiosity and its affects on health, gender, race and sexuality, as well as visual anthropology.
In my personal life, I am a wife to an amazing man and mother to two beautiful daughters (and one sweet pup). I enjoy their support and encouragement through this process.
Contact Ms. Thomas at: martina.thomas@ua.edu