PhD
Associate Professor
Co-Leader, UNC Lineberger Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program
Area of Interest
Melissa B. Gilkey, PhD, is Associate Professor of Health Behavior in the University of North Carolina’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. With research interests in adolescent health, parent-provider communication, and cancer prevention, Dr. Gilkey studies individual, interpersonal and organizational approaches to improving the delivery of pediatric health services, including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Her work includes survey and interview research to understand barriers to vaccination, such as provider and parental hesitancy, as well as intervention research aimed at improving vaccine delivery systems. Dr. Gilkey currently leads an NCI-funded cluster randomized trial with 47 primary care clinics to evaluate the impact of engaging clinical champions on HPV vaccine communication and coverage.
Awards and Honors
- Gillings Research Excellence Award, University of North Carolina, 2023
- Robert H. Ebert Fellowship, Harvard Medical School, 2016
- Young Investigator Award, Academic Pediatric Association, 2013
News and Stories
Allison Lazard and Melissa Gilkey named co-leaders of UNC Lineberger’s Cancer Prevention and Control Program
Allison Lazard, PhD, and Melissa Gilkey, PhD, will co-lead the UNC Lineberger Cancer Prevention and Control Program, joining long-time program co-leader Ethan Basch, MD, MSc, FASCO.
Improving health of military personnel and families through collaboration, research
UNC Lineberger is leading an innovative cancer prevention partnership at Fort Bragg that is designed to reduce tobacco use and promote HPV vaccination.
