Staff: Yuki Lama, PhD, MPH

Yuki Lama

Yuki Lama, PhD, MPH

(she/her/hers)
Former Fellow, Transitioned Outside of the Program

Cancer Research Training Award Fellow
Former Organization:

Yuki Lama, Ph.D., M.P.H., was a Cancer Research Training Award fellow in the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch from 2021 to 2022. Her research focused on factors influencing vaccine acceptance, particularly within the context of health information seeking behavior on the Internet and social media.

Her prior work examined racial/ethnic and gender disparities related to human papillomavirus (HPV) messages on social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit. Dr. Lama was interested in identifying public health communication strategies that reduce cancer disparities by promoting cancer prevention behaviors, specifically HPV vaccination among children and parents. Additionally, she was interested in exploring how misinformation online contributes to vaccine hesitancy.

Dr. Lama received her Ph.D. in Maternal and Child Health from the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her dissertation investigated the role of social media on HPV-related outcomes with a focus on race/ethnicity. Dr. Lama received her B.A. in French Studies from the University of Connecticut and her M.P.H. from Claremont Graduate University.


"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated November 2022

Current Title
Program Officer
Health Inequities and Global Health Branch
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
The training and mentorship that I've received as a BRP fellow has been invaluable. I've been able grow by being involved with a variety of projects along the cancer control continuum utilizing different datasets/methods, while collaborating with such a supportive group of individuals. Additionally, I've also been able to learn about different career paths, such as the Program Director role, which has helped me prepare for a career in the government.

Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
I have especially enjoyed being able to connect with fellows and staff both virtually and in person at picnics and pizza parties. I also appreciate that the atmosphere has been collegial and welcoming, so I've felt supported and appreciated during my fellowship.

Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am a Program Officer in the Health Inequities and Global Health Branch at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). In addition to managing a portfolio of grants related to implementation science and health equity in international settings, I support efforts to develop funding initiatives related to heart, lung, blood, and sleep health within a global context.

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions

  • Sallie Rosen Kaplan Fellowship, National Cancer Institute (2021-2022)
  • Collaborative Research Award for Fellows in Training (CRAFT) (2021-2022)

Publications from Fellowship Work



Current and/or past BRP mentors include Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou.

To request edits to this profile, please contact us at ncidccpsbrpadvances@mail.nih.gov.