Kaila is a program manager in the Huntsman Cancer Institute Kepka Research Lab at the University of Utah. Her research interests include population science research that addresses clinical and health disparities in cancer risk and outcomes, multi-factor environmental and health modeling, spatial modeling, spatial data science, epidemiologic methodology and study design, and data visualization. After watching her grandmother suffer from brain and lung cancer as a result of breast cancer, and the impact it had on the entire extended family, she is driven towards quality improvement, reduction of disparities, and increased access for cancer prevention and care.
Jade is a program manager in the Huntsman Cancer Institute Kepka Research Lab at the University of Utah. Jade possesses a master of public health and a bachelor of science in health promotion. She has prior research experience managing a large-scale, federally funded project focused on pregnant women diagnosed with opioid use disorder. She currently assists Dr. Kepka in the implementation of numerous projects. Her research interests include health equity, women’s health, cervical cancer prevention, and epidemiological concepts. Her goal is to merge her passion for public health and evidence-based research to attain health equity.
Nellie is an undergraduate at the University of Utah in her final semester before receiving her honors degree in nursing. While originally from California, she has started to call the Utah mountains home. She’s often occupied with nursing school, but in her free time you can find her on a hike, reading a good book, or skiing in the winter.
Shauna is a research consultant for the Kepka Research Lab within Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. She earned a master of public health from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and dual bachelor of science degrees in health education and promotion and psychology from the University of Utah. She has experience in academic, community-based, and hospital-based research. Her research interests include health communications, prevention-focused interventions, and public health sustainability. Her ultimate goal is to help all people live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Ryan is the administrative assistant for the Kepka team. He is responsible for managing the administrative tasks, budgeting, and grant support for the Kepka team.
Deanna Kepka, PhD, MPH, MA
2000 Circle of Hope, Rm 4144
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Phone: 801-587-4565
Email: deanna.kepka@hci.utah.edu