Dr. E. Lisako J. McKyer

Chair Department of Population & Community Health and Professor

Education & Experience:
I was a non-traditional student, earning a BA in Psychology from California State University Northridge, where I was awarded a NIGMS-funded undergraduate research training grant under Dr. Maria Elena Zavala and Dr. Carrie Saetermoe. Next, I pursued doctoral training in two programs at Indiana University; Clinical Science (Psychology 1995-1999 [incomplete]), and Health Behavior (completed in 2005), where I also earned a MPH degree along the way.

I started my faculty career at Indiana University, where I directed the annual statewide school-based ATOD survey at the Indiana Prevention Research Center. I moved to Texas A&M University in 2006, where I held appointments in the College of Public Health, the School of Medicine and the School of Education and Human Development. During my 16 years at Texas A&M, I rose through the ranks to tenured full professor and served in various leadership positions. Prior to joining HSC in 2024, I served as the Inaugural Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Inclusive Excellence at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

Teaching Areas & Public Health Interests:
My teaching areas align with my public health research interests. I developed the core doctoral seminars required of all public health DrPH students at my previous university. Previous graduate level teaching experience includes research methods, evaluation, public health leadership and administration, advanced health theories and more. I have taught at the undergraduate level as well, with my favorite course being  one I developed: “Zombie Apocalypse – A Public Health Matter.”

My teaching and training strength is reflected in my success in mentoring students, especially doctoral students toward research/academic careers.

Professional Activities & Awards:
My service is also aligned with my scholarly interests. I engage in service activities that will enhance the capacities of entities and organizations I serve, with a focus on sustained systemic changes. I conduct trainings on program evaluations for organizations’ staff across Texas and beyond.

I serve my profession as a member of the American Academy of Health Behavior. I am a Fellow of AAHB and served as a member of the Board, governing committees, and as past president.

Scholarly Interests:
My research has long focused on health inequities, with the aim of redressing disparities via systemic changes. This scholarship is done in concert with communities and people impacted, and enhancing capacity of individuals and organizations is part of the process. I see that my role as a public health researcher is to help organizations and individuals get on their feet and thereby make myself obsolete.

Most recently, my scholarship has focused on research syntheses via literature reviews, program evaluation and state-organization capacity building.

Link to Dr. McKyers’ Curriculum Vitae:

Link to Dr. McKyers’ Research Profile: