Sherine El-Toukhy, Ph.D., M.A.

The mission of El-Toukhy's research group is to conduct epidemiological, (bio)behavioral, and clinical research to demonstrate the use of mobile technologies to alleviate adverse outcomes associated with modifiable lifestyle behaviors and medical conditions that affect the health and wellbeing of Americans. To achieve this goal, we pursue three interconnected lines of research along the translational continuum – from identifying factors associated with access and use of prerequisite technologies (bench/ discovery), to developing and evaluating digital tools for modifying unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and 24/7 monitoring of disease (bedside/ clinical trials), and wide-scale implementation of those digital health tools for population-level impact through integration with electronic health records (practice/ real-world). We employ mixed methodological approaches, such as user experience, observational and experimental studies, and randomized trials, alongside various study designs such as micro-randomized trials, sequential multiple assignment randomized trials, factorial, and hybrid designs. As digital technologies are becoming a cornerstone to public health and medical care, this research program meets the need to make digital technologies work for all and aligns with national strategic goals of harnessing digital technologies to deliver personalized preventive and treatment programs that promote health, prevent disease, and reduce health disparities.

Sherine El-Toukhy is an Earl Stadtman Investigator in the Division of Intramural Research of The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Prior to joining NIMHD, she was an IRTA postdoctoral fellow in the Intramural Research Programs of The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and NIMHD. She received her doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Mass Communication where she also earned a graduate certificate in Interdisciplinary Health Communication. She holds a master's and bachelor's degrees in communication from Cairo University, Egypt.

Dr. El-Toukhy has a decade's worth of experience in health communication campaigns and interventions funded by national and international organizations such as the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Environment, UNICEF, and USAID. She is a recipient of several research awards including a visiting scholar award from Cairo University, Egypt; a William R. Kenan Jr. fellowship from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the 2013 Health Dissertation of the Year award from the National Communication Association and the International Communication Association; and several top-paper and scientific awards. Her research has been funded by The National Science Foundation and The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.