Meet the Team
Tiffany L. Carson, PhD, MPH, FTOS, FSBM
Associate Member, George Edgecomb Scholar
My interest in research came from a desire to want to help others. I am most interested in improving the health of underserved communities. I am particularly interested in helping people adopt healthier behaviors related to diet and physical activity. I recognize that all people may not have the same goals, desires, or opportunities as it relates to weight or body size. Therefore, my philosophy is to help people to make the best choice that they can in the context of their own life and personal goals. In addition to my research, I also enjoy mentoring and training the next generation of scientists. I have been fortunate to have excellent mentors and I take pleasure in paying it forward. When I am not working, I enjoy traveling, watching sports, and spending time with my family.
Jazmin Henderson, BS, BA
Research Coordinator
I joined Moffitt in 2021 after graduating from the University of South Florida with a BS in Biomedical Sciences and a BA in World Languages and Cultures. Given the many ways that culture influences health and inspired by my work with the CRG, my interests lie in not only the use of community-based, culturally tailored interventions to reduce racial/ethnic health disparities but also the impact of geography on healthcare access. In my free time, I enjoy kayaking, photography, and trying new foods. I also love to travel and to discover new music.
Alissa Pena, BA
Research Coordinator
I started at Moffitt Cancer Center as an intern at the end of 2018. I have worked with multiple teams and studies at Moffitt and was able to join the Carson Research Group in 2021. I now work primarily on the DINING study in the Carson Lab. I completed a BA in Psychology at USF. I have an interest in disparities in mental health care, and plan to pursue further education. In addition to all the work and school activities I am able to be a part of, I also take time to unwind. Some of my favorite activities after work include painting, spending time with family, traveling, and riding my motorcycle.
Emily Rozen, MPH, BS
Research Coordinator
I joined Moffitt Cancer Center with the CRG team in 2022 as a Research Coordinator. I work on all three studies (DINING, RESET, and SHINE), helping throughout with tasks such as participant enrollment, satisfaction, data collection, and more. I got my BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Florida Southern College, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Public Health at USF. At Moffitt I am also an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Ambassador and the Co-Director of Community Events for UNITY@Moffitt. Outside of work you can usually catch me at a dog park or hanging out with friends and family.
Kiana Antoine
Student Intern
I am an undergraduate student at the University of South Florida that majors in Biology with a medical concentration. I got involved at Moffitt through an internship program called the ENCOURAGE Diversity Program. I am currently involved in the DINING study in the Carson lab, and a few of my tasks include shadowing dietary recalls and assessments, making biospecimen collection kits, packaging food during intervention, and scheduling follow up appointments. I have an interest in health care and medical sciences, and I plan to pursue a career in that field. In my spare time, I like to paint, spend time with friends, and watch my favorite movies.
Khaliah Fleming, EdD, MPH, MCHES
PRN Coordinator
I began my time at Moffitt as an intern during my MPH program. A native of Tampa, I obtained my undergraduate degree from Spelman College, my MPH from the University of South Florida, and my doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University. I started my career in public health as a Peace Corps volunteer. Trained as a health educator, I enjoy providing health education, program planning, and program evaluation. I am a proud board member for the Society for the Analysis of African American Public Health Issues and the chapter president of FL SOPHE (Society for Public Health Education). In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading, dancing, and cooking.
Vivian Doerr, PhD, BS
Applied Research Scientist
I received my PhD at the University of Florida, where I focused my research on the mechanisms of exercise protection against chemotherapy-induced muscle dysfunction. My own personal athletic experiences and background in exercise science have contributed to my interest in pursuing research related to exercise physiology, disease prevention and rehabilitation. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities with my dog, the beach, paddle boarding, as well as traveling.
Sierra Pittman, MPH, BS
Research Coordinator
I recently joined Moffitt Cancer Center and the Carson Research Group in 2023. It has been such a pleasure working with those who are so passionate about what they do. I went to the University of South Florida where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Public Health in 2021 and then my Masters in Epidemiology with a certification in Applied Biostatistics in 2023 from the USF College of Public Health. I have always had an avid interest in public health, infectious diseases, and health disparities. Learning how zip codes can have such a profound effect on the health of people has always been a concept that I interested in learning and researching more about. I plan to pursue my PhD in the future within the scope of epidemiology and public health. In my free time I love going to try new food places with my friends, listening to new music, traveling to concerts, and watching hockey and gymnastics.
Ashley Cooper, PhD, MSN
Post Doctoral Fellow
I joined the Carson Research Group as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 2024. I hold a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, where I was a Presidential Fellow and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar. Prior to pursuing my doctorate, I was a primary care nurse practitioner. I hold an MSN in Adult/Women’s Health (dual) from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, and a BA in American Studies and Spanish from Mount Holyoke College. My research focuses on the social context of disparities in cardiometabolic disease for Black women in the US. In my free time, I enjoy board games and long walks with her partner and our dog, Momo.