Leah Alexander, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor, Public Health Practice
EDUCATION
BA, Psychology, Spelman College
MPH, Health Behavior, University of Alabama, Birmingham-Ryals School of Public Health
PhD, University of Alabama, Birmingham-Ryals School of Public Health
RESEARCH & AREAS OF INTEREST
Community Engagement
Maternal Health Equity
HIV Prevention
Cancer Prevention
Public Interest Technology
TEACHING
Biostatistics I
Biostatistics and Health Equity Research
BIOGRAPHY
Leah Alexander, PhD, MPH is a Nashville native with over 25 years of experience in public health and community-engaged research. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Health Behavior and a PhD in Health Education and Promotion, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Currently, Dr. Alexander is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health in the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. She is a passionate advocate for community-engaged research, blending her academic expertise with the lived experiences of communities. Her research focuses on critical public health issues, including HIV prevention among African American women and clergy, health promotion within faith-based organizations, public interest technology, and maternal health. In 2024, Dr. Alexander became the founding Director of the Maternal Health Equity Research Center at Meharry, where she leads efforts to advance health equity for mothers. She also teaches a range of courses, including Research Design, Health Education and Promotion, Health Behavior, and Readings in Public Health, to master’s students and medical residents at Meharry. Dr. Alexander earned her undergraduate degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of her professional life, she is happily married to Dr. Olayinka Otukpe, and together they are raising two children, Iyanu (14) and Imisi (13), who are already on their way to becoming the revolutionaries who will change the world. She is supported by a strong network of family and friends who share in her commitment to making a lasting impact on public health practice, health equity, and social justice.
CONTACT