Darla Kendzor, PhD

Director

Dr. Kendzor's education includes postdoctoral training at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center,  and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She has a PhD from Louisiana State University and Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She has vast experience in tobacco use and healthy lifestyle research, with an emphasis on low socioeconomic status populations. Dr. Kendzor has been the co-director for the Health Promotion Research Center since 2015. In her free time, she enjoys running, and has recently taken up guitar lessons with her daughter!

​

​

Shannon Gwin

Program Manager

Shannon Gwin, PhD, is a Sr. Research Program Coordinator joining the TSET Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) January 2023. Prior to joining HPRC, Dr. Gwin was an adjunct professor for 5 years in Health and Exercise Science at the University of Oklahoma teaching undergraduate course work.  Dr. Gwin completed her master’s and PhD degree in Health Promotion in the Dept. of Health and Exercise Science at the OU-Norman campus.  Her dissertation focused on depressive symptoms/suicide ideation and religiosity in young adults.  Her primary research interests involve theory-based behavioral change interventions in chronic disease and marginalized populations.

Sharon Glassman, BA

Sr. Administrative Coordinator

Sharon received her degree in public relations at the University of Central Oklahoma after spending a few years at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. Her prior work experience includes being a Registrar and substitute teacher at Edmond Public Schools. Sharon grew up in the restaurant business, so after college, she managed and directed various restaurants. Sharon is a people person and loves being around lots of people and interacting with them. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her husband and two sons. She also enjoys the beach and water, and is a good water skier!

Laili Boozary, PhD

Laili began her Postdoctoral Fellowship at the HPRC in February 2023. She earned her PhD in Cellular and Behavioral Neurobiology from The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus in 2022, where her research targeted reward processing (AKA the basal ganglia), including dopaminergic and other monoamine involvement. Dr. Boozary’s primary research interest is to understand the intersection of tobacco-use/addiction, health disparities, and neuroscience. Her work at the HPRC will focus on understanding tobacco-related health disparities from a neural perspective in order to inform treatment strategies for populations that have a hard time quitting.

Gaurav Kumar, PhD

Gaurav Kumar joined the Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) team in August 2024 as a Postdoctoral Fellow. He earned his PhD in Health Promotion from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he focused on physical activity among cancer survivors using a mixed-methods approach. In addition to his PhD, he holds a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a major in Epidemiology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His research focuses on health promotion among diverse communities, cancer care, management, and behavior change research. His work aims to address health disparities and promote equitable health practices.

Nathalia Machado, PhD

Nathalia Machado joined the Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) in December 2024. Machado earned her PhD in Psychology from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Her research has focused on the public health aspects of tobacco and nicotine use and cessation, primarily on reducing tobacco use, particularly among underserved populations. She was awarded the prestigious American Association of University Women's (AAUW) international postdoctoral fellowship in 2022-2023, during which she conducted a mixed-methods analysis of vapers' reasons for using and quitting vaping, based on a bi-national survey on e-cigarette use in the U.S. and the U.K. Dr. Machado's specific research interests include evaluating promising interventions, with a focus on mHealth, to increase tobacco and nicotine cessation treatment and engagement among smokers.

Allison Hawkins, MHR, CTTS

Tobacco Treatment Specialist

Allison has a Bachelor's of Social Work from East Central University and Master of Human Relations in Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. Her research interests include health promotion in diverse populations and enhancing tribal partnerships in research. Her greatest passion is empowering vulnerable populations to reach their health and healing goals. Allison enjoys spending time with family, outdoor activities and nature.

​

Sam Rakowski, MS, TTS

Tobacco Treatment Specialist

Sam has a Master's in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor's degree in psychology. She attend school at the University of Kentucky. One of her favorite parts of coming to work everyday is being around positive and kind coworkers. In her personal time, she likes to paint, knit, exercise, and befriend any pet they meet. 

​

​

Morgan Davie, BS, TTS

Research Program Coordinator

Morgan graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, where she minored in Pre-health Social Sciences and earned a Pre-medicine certification. Morgan joined the Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) team in November 2021 as a Research Technician that dedicated 50% of her efforts to a collaborative study between HPRC and the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. She later became a Staff Research Assistant in November 2022 and has been a Research Program Coordinator since May 2023. Morgan is currently enjoying her time with the REACH Lab, which has provided her with opportunities to broaden her experience in health promotion research and professional development, all while having the opportunity to assist Oklahomans in improving their health and quality of life. 

​

Kaelie Miller

Research Technician

Kaelie Miller is an alum of the University of Oklahoma. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology with minor concentrations in English Writing and WGS. Kaelie joined the HPRC in March of 2024 as a Research Technician in the Tobacco Treatment Research Program. Her prior work experience was based in customer service, and she uses that service-driven attitude to ensure every participant has an uplifting and positive experience with the clinic. Kaelie enjoys working at the TTRP because of daily opportunities to connect with those who may be struggling and offer them resources, uplifting support, and a listening ear that could be life changing. She looks forward to continuous learning and growth with the HRPC and within the TTRP.

Roma Thakur, MBBS, TTS

Research Program Coordinator

Roma received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Zhengzhou University in Henan, China. She is currently pursuing a Master's of Science in Healthcare Informatics from the University of Central Florida. Roma's medical experience includes working in various departments such as anesthesiology and the ICU, providing care in an earthquake relief program, and vaccination drives in Nepal. Roma's hobbies are reading, listening to music, and traveling. 

Sarah Trolinger

Research Technician

Sarah Trolinger joined the HPRC team in in 2025. Sarah graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma.

James Gallaher

Research Technician

James Gallaher joined the HPRC in 2025. James has a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science.

Justin Patterson

Staff Research Assistant

Justin Patterson is a Research Assistant for the Tobacco Treatment Research Program. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and is interested in furthering his education with graduate school in the near future.

Rayne Caldwell, BS, TTS

Research Assistant

Rayne earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a Pre-Medicine certification, from the University of Oklahoma. After collaborating with the Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) during undergrad, she rejoined the clinic as a Research Assistant in February of 2024 to focus on health disparities within the Oklahoma community. Rayne is deeply passionate about both research and medicine, with a long-term goal of integrating these fields through the pursuit of an MD-PhD degree. In her current role with the HPRC, she contributes to the development of evidence-based treatment strategies, as well as providing resources and counseling to support individuals in need.