Program Faculty

The UMMC-GTEC program faculty bring expertise in cardiovascular epidemiology and related research, health disparities, evidence-based approaches in research training, education, and coaching of diverse students and early-career faculty. We also bring a deep familiarity and history of engagement with colleges and universities in Mississippi, and state-of-the-art research resources and infrastructure. 

Jennifer Reneker, PT, MSPT, PhD
Principal Investigator and Director, UMMC-GTEC
Assistant Dean for Scholarly Innovation, John D. Bower School of Population Health
Associate Professor, Department of Population Health Science
University of Mississippi Medical Center
jreneker@umc.edu

Lecretia Buckley, PhD
Career Guide, UMMC-GTEC
Education Quality Improvement Director, School of Medicine
Associate Professor, Department of Population Health Science
University of Mississippi Medical Center
lbuckley@umc.edu

Victoria Gholar, DNP, MSN, PMH-BC
Career Guide, UMMC-GTEC
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, John D. Bower School of Population Health
University of Mississippi Medical Center
vgholar@umc.edu

Elizabeth Heitman, PhD
Director of Curriculum, UMMC-GTEC
Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
elizabeth.heitman@utsouthwestern.edu

Benjamin Walker, PhD, MS
Biostatistical Mentor, UMMC-GTEC
Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health Science
University of Mississippi Medical Center
bwalker5@umc.edu

Xiaoqian Zhu, PhD, MS
Biostatistical Mentor, UMMC-GTEC
Biostatistician, Department of Data Science
University of Mississippi Medical Center
xzhu3@umc.edu

Olivia Affuso, PhD, FACSM
Research Mentor, UMMC-GTEC
Director, Strategic Leadership Initiatives
Council on Black Health
oaffuso@councilbh.org

Harish Chander, PhD, MS
Research Mentor, UMMC-GTEC
Associate Professor and Co-Director, Department of Biomechanics and Neuromotor Control
Mississippi State University
hchander@colled.msstate.edu

Abigail Gamble, PhD
Research Mentor, UMMC-GTEC
Associate Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine
University of Mississippi Medical Center
agamble2@umc.edu