Dr. Cherell Cottrell-Daniels is a Research Scientist in the Research Department at Health Choice Network (HCN). She joined HCN in 2024 after completing a T32 Behavioral Oncology Postdoctoral Fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. She earned her PhD in Public Health from Georgia State University, specializing in Health Promotion and Behavior.
Her research focuses on improving health outcomes among low-income and underserved populations in both urban and rural communities. Her work aims to promote tobacco cessation, reduce tobacco-related cancer burdens among groups experiencing greater barriers to care, and develop culturally responsive interventions.
During her doctoral training, Dr. Cottrell-Daniels concentrated on supporting smoking cessation among low-income and African American adults. She has contributed to NIH-funded clinical trials that used mobile technology to deliver behavior change interventions.
Building on this foundation, she expanded her research during her postdoctoral fellowship to examine stressors and protective factors associated with tobacco and cannabis co-use, using mixed-methods approaches. Her work remains centered on the experiences of low-income and underserved communities facing systemic barriers to prevention and care.
Dr. Cottrell-Daniels has broadened her research portfolio to include health services research and research infrastructure development. She partners with health centers to strengthen research capacity and support initiatives that enhance patient-centered care and engagement.
She has authored 17 peer-reviewed journal articles and delivered 25 presentations at local, national, and international conferences. She received a National Cancer Institute Loan Repayment Award for her work on tobacco-related research among underserved populations.
In addition to her research, she is passionate about teaching, mentorship, and community service. She is an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, and enjoys playing tennis in her spare time.