Erika A. Waters, PhD, MPH
Professor of Surgery
Division of Public Health Sciences
Specialties
- Health communication
- Risk perception
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral intervention
Meet Dr. Waters
Dr. Erika Waters is an epidemiologist and researcher, interested in understanding and meeting the needs of populations that have been marginalized or underrepresented in research.
She leads a program of health communication, risk communication, and behavior change research that translates foundational epidemiological, clinical, and genomic science into forms that help laypeople make adaptive health decisions. The interventions that result from this work are designed to maximize the potential for future dissemination and implementation and reduce health disparities.
Dr. Waters earned her doctorate in psychology from Rutgers University. She also completed a cancer prevention fellowship at National Cancer Institute.
I investigate how thoughts about cancer risk (i.e., cancer cognitions) influence laypeople’s medical decisions and engagement in cancer prevention behaviors. To date, my research has focused on risk perception, Internet-based risk communication, laypeople’s decision making about undergoing chemopreventive therapies for cancer, and tobacco use. I am expanding my research to address the role of cancer cognitions in socioeconomic and racial/ethnic-based cancer disparities. I also plan to explore how lay perceptions of genetic risk information influence cancer cognitions and health behaviors.
Dr. Waters
Degrees
Doctorate in Psychology
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
2006
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
2007
Master of Science in Psychology Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
2003
Fellowship
Cancer Prevention Fellowship
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
2009
Research interests
Risk perception, risk communication and decision making about chemopreventative therapies relating to cancer. Socioeconomic and racial/ethnic-based cancer disparities as well as how lay perceptions of genetic risk information influence health behaviors.
Waters Lab
600 S. Taylor Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: 314-747-5707
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Waters in the news
- Department of Surgery New Faculty: July 2023
- Waters to study caregiver decisions for asthmatic children
- For Your Health – Looking After Heart Health Reduces Cancer Risk, Too
Professional Memberships
Society of Behavioral Medicine
American Psychological Association
Association for Psychological Science
Society for Medical Decision Making
Social Personality and Health Network
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
American Society for Preventive Oncology