Myra Parker, PhD, JD, MPH
myrap@uw.edu | CV
Associate Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
206-258-1132 | 206-616-5887 | 206-543-9368
https://indigenousphi.org/
Myra Parker (Mandan-Hidatsa-Cree), Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H., is an assistant professor in the Center for the Studies of Health and Risk Behavior in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, in the University of Washington School of Medicine. She serves as the Director of Seven Directions, a tribal public health institute based within CSHRB. She also works with the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Dr. Parker received her B.A. in Human Biology from Stanford University. She received a J.D. from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona in 2001, with an emphasis in Federal Indian Law. She received her M.P.H. from the Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health at the University of Arizona in 2002. Dr. Parker graduated with a Ph.D. in Health Services from the University of Washington School of Public Health in 2010.
Dr. Parker has worked for over ten years on tribal public health program implementation, and coordination with tribal communities in Arizona, Idaho, and Washington, as well as with tribal colleges and universities across the United States. Prior to embarking on a career in research, Dr. Parker worked for five years in the policy arena within Arizona state government, in tribal governments, and with tribal working groups at the state and national level. Her research experience in public health involves Community Based Participatory Research, cultural adaptation of evidence-based interventions, and disparities research. As an enrolled member of the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes, she is aware of the historical health practices and misconduct perpetuated on tribes in the United States, as well as other minority and disenfranchised populations. Her background in law and policy has informed a broader understanding of the principles of ethics as well as honed her skills in identifying methods to address the disparities in research control and access through the use of formalized agreements.
Her research interests include cultural adaptation of evidence-based interventions, promotion of early childhood development, research ethics, and substance abuse prevention.
Current and Past Grants
2013-2019 – NIAAA, R01, PI: Bonnie Duran, DrPH, Role on Project: Co-Investigator, Tribal College and University Behavioral Health Intervention Study
2015-2020 – NINR/NLM, R01, PI: Nina Wallerstein, PhD, Role on Project: Co-Investigator, Advancing CBPR Practice Through a Collective Reflection and Measurement Toolkit
2018-2021 – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Program, PI: Sara Waters, PhD, Role on Project: Co-Investigator, Cultural Adaptation of a Trauma-Informed Parenting Curriculum for the Colville Tribes
2016-2021 – ACF, Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant Program, PI: Lynnette Jordan, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, Role on Project: Evaluator, Ina Maka Family Program
2018-2019, National Network of Public Health Institutes (RWJF), PI: Myra Parker, Role on Project: Director, Seven Directions: A Tribal Public Health Institute
2018-2019 – Cherokee Nation (CDC), PI: Myra Parker, Cherokee Nation Health System Transformation
2018-2019 – Choctaw Nation (CDC), PI: Myra Parker, Choctaw Nation Health System Public Health Accreditation
2018-2019 – NNPHI (CDC), PI: Myra Parker, Tribal Public Health Capacity Support
2018-2019 – NNPHI (CDC), PI: Myra Parker, Opioid Overdose Prevention in Tribes
2018-2019 – NNPHI (CDC), PI: Myra Parker, Mixed-methods Evaluation of Falls Prevention within the Indian Health Service
2018-2019 – NNPHI (CDC), PI: Myra Parker, Indigenous Social Determinants of Health