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Dr. Chisom N. Iwundu

Assistant Professor

University of North Texas

Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services

(940) 369-5356

Email: Chisom.Odoh@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, University of Louisville, 2018
    Major: Public Health
    Specialization: Epidemiology
    Dissertation: Coal ash exposure and behavioral impairments among children in Louisville, Kentucky
  • MPH, Tennessee State University, 2015
    Major: Public Health
    Specialization: Behavioral Health
  • BA, Fisk University, 2012
    Major: Biological Sciences

Professional Memberships

  • American Heart Association. (January 10, 2019 - Present).
  • American Academy of Health Behavior. (January 10, 2017 - Present).
  • American Public Health Association. (January 10, 2017 - Present).
  • Society for Epidemiologic Research. (January 10, 2016 - Present).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • PUBH 1010 - Introduction to Public Health, 1 course.
  • PUBH 2010 - Epidemiological Concepts and Methods for Public Health, 3 courses.
  • PUBH 2015 - Research Methods in Public Health, 3 courses.
  • PUBH 3025 - Environmental Health, 6 courses.
  • PUBH 4015 - Ethics in Public Health, 5 courses.
  • PUBH 4020 - Biostatistics, 4 courses.
  • PUBH 4070 - Public Health Informatics, 2 courses.
  • RHAB 4951 - Honors College Capstone Thesis, 1 course.

Directed Student Learning

  • Undergraduate Honors Thesis, "From Inequity to Injustice: Investigating the Alarming Impact of Health Disparities on Maternal Mortality Rates for Advanced-Age Black Mothers in the United States," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (May 2023 - December 2023).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Exploring the factors that promote resiliency in adolescents with ASD/ADHD and a background of ACEs," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (October 2020 - July 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Adverse Childhood Experience and Self-Rated Health," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (October 2019 - June 2021).
  • Dissertation Committee Member, "Malnutrition in the elderly," Rehabilitation and Health Services. (September 2019 - September 2020).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book Chapter

  • Iwundu, C.N., Stojda, D.K., Edereka-Great, K., Harllee, H. (2020). Community Epidemiological Approaches. Sustainable Community Health. 271-297. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59687-3_8

    • Journal Article

  • Iwundu, C.N., Yin, C., Coleman, A.L., Hansen, J., Kwon, J., Heck, J.E. (2025). Occupational exposures and age-related cataract: A review. Other. 1--10. Taylor \& Francis.
  • Iwundu, C.N. (2024). Impact of COVID-19 on individuals experiencing homelessness: Lessons learned and recommendations for practitioners. Other. 17579759241232395. SAGE Publications Sage UK: London, England.
  • Iwundu, C.N., Homan, M.E., Moore, A.R., Randall, P., Daundasekara, S.S., Hernandez, D.C. (2022). Firearm Violence in the united states: an issue of the Highest Moral Order. Public Health Ethics. 15 (3) 301--315. Oxford University Press UK.
  • Iwundu, C., Santa Maria, D., Hernandez, D.C. (2021). Commentary: The Invisible and Forgotten: COVID-19 Inequities Among People Experiencing Homelessness. Other. 44 (2) 108--109. LWW.
  • Daundasekara, S.S., Iwundu, C.N., Hernandez, D.C., Zvolensky, M.J., Kendzor, D.E., Businelle, M.S. (2021). Depression is associated with poor physical health through lower distress tolerance among adults experiencing homelessness. Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness.
  • Connors, S.K., Leal, I.M., Nitturi, V., Iwundu, C., Maza, V., Reyes, S., Acquati, C., Reitzel, L.R. (2021). Empowered Choices: African-American Women's Breast Reconstruction Decisions. American Journal of Health Behavior. 45 (2) 352--370. PNG Publications.
  • Iwundu, C.N., Chen, T., Edereka-Great, K., Businelle, M.S., Kendzor, D.E., Reitzel, L.R. (2020). Mental Illness and Youth-Onset Homelessness: A Retrospective Study among Adults Experiencing Homelessness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17 (22) 8295. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.
  • Iwundu, C.N., Agrawal , P., Businelle, M.S., Kendzor , D.E., Reitzel , L.R. (2020). Predictors of Overnight and Emergency Treatment among Homeless Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
  • Zierold, K.M., Odoh, C. (2020). A review on fly ash from coal-fired power plants: chemical composition, regulations, and health evidence. Other. 1 (ahead-of-print) De Gruyter.
  • Agrawal, P., Neisler, J., Businelle PhD, M.S., Kendzor PhD, D.E., Hernandez, D.C., Iwundu, C.N., Reitzel, L.R. (2019). Exposure to violence and sleep inadequacies among men and women living in a shelter setting. Other. 2 (4) 19.
  • Odoh, C., Vidrine PhD, J.I., Businelle PhD, M.S., Kendzor PhD, D.E., Agrawal, P., Reitzel PhD, L.R. (2019). Health Literacy and Self-Rated Health among Homeless Adults. Other. 2 (4) 13.
  • Iwundu, C.N., Businelle, M.S., Chen, T., Kendzor, D.E., Obasi, E.M., Reitzel, L.R. (2019). Association of fear and mistrust with stress among sheltered homeless adults and the moderating effects of race and sex. Other. 7 (3) 458--467. Springer International Publishing.
  • Iwundu, C.N., Sears, C.G., Tompkins, L.K., Hagemeyer, A.N., Pfeiffer, J.A., Polivka, B.J., Sears, L., Brock, G.N., Zierold, K.M. (2019). Recruitment strategies and challenges: Lessons learned from a coal ash and children's health study. Other. John Wiley \& Sons, Ltd.
  • Nchako, E., Bussell, S., Nesbeth, C., Iwundu, C.N. (2018). Barriers to the availability and accessibility of controlled medicines for chronic pain in Africa. Other. 10 (2) 71--77. Oxford University Press.
  • Musa, B.M., Iwundu, C.N., Galadanci, N.A., Saidu, H., Aliyu, M.H. (2018). Lower than expected elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity in adults with sickle cell disease in Nigeria. Other. 10 (5) 356--362. Oxford University Press.
  • Iwundu, C.N., Sanderson, M., Williams, E.A., Hull, P.C. (2018). Operationalizing outcome measures of human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescents. Other. 159 129--132. WB Saunders.
  • Nchako, E., Nesbeth, C., Iwundu, C.N. (2017). Assessment of knowledge of Ebola virus disease management of medical residents in a tertiary medical college. Other. 9 (11) 286--291. Academic Journals.
  • Musa, B.M., Adamu, A.L., Galadanci, N.A., Zubayr, B., Iwundu, C.N., Aliyu, M.H. (2017). Trends in prevalence of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS One. 12 (9) e0185105. Public Library of Science.
  • Amole, T.G., Bello, S., Iwundu, C.N., Aliyu, M.H., Iliyasu, Z. (2016). Correlates of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence in Kano, Northern Nigeria. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 31 (12) 2240--2254. SAGE Publications Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA.
  • Iliyasu, Z., Galadanci, H.S., Abubakar, S., Auwal, M.S., Iwundu, C.N., Salihu, H.M., Aliyu, M.H. (2016). Phenotypes of intimate partner violence among women experiencing infertility in Kano, Northwest Nigeria. Other. 133 (1) 32--36.
  • Aliyu, M.H., Blevins, M., Arinze, F., Megazzini, K.M., Bussell, S., Dunlap, J., Iwundu, C.N., Gebi, U.I., Muhammad, M.Y., Shepherd, B.E., others. (2015). Enrolment trends in a comprehensive HIV programme in rural north-central Nigeria: improved care indices, but declining quality of clinical data over time. Other. 109 (2) 75--83. Taylor \& Francis.
  • Aliyu, M.H., Blevins, M., Megazzini, K.M., Parrish, D.D., Audet, C.M., Chan, N., Iwundu, C.N., Gebi, U.I., Muhammad, M.Y., Shepherd, B.E., others. (2015). Pregnant women with HIV in rural Nigeria have higher rates of antiretroviral treatment initiation, but similar loss to follow-up as non-pregnant women and men. Other. 7 (6) 405--411. Oxford University Press.

Presentations Given

    Invited Talk

  • Odoh, C. (Author), University of Louisville Radio Station [UofL Today with Mark Hebert radio show], Burden of Tuberculosis in Sub-Saharan Africa, Louisville, KY, United States of America. (2017 - 2017).

    • Oral Presentation

  • Heck, J.E. (Author & Presenter), Iwundu, C.N. (Author), International Society for Environmental Epidemiology annual conference, Parental employment in bitumen-related industries in relation to childhood cancer risk, International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, Santiago, Chile, Chile. (2024 - 2024).
  • Hernandez, D.C. (Author & Presenter), Daundasekara, S.S. (Author), Iwundu, C.N. (Author), National Council on Family Relations, Community violence predicts food insecurity through lower neighborhood collective efficacy, Virtual, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).

    • Poster

  • Iwundu, C.N. (Author & Presenter), Hansen, J. (Author), Coleman, A.L. (Author), Heck, J.E. (Author), Society for Epidemiologic Research, Occupational Exposure to Ultraviolet radiation and Cataract Risk in Denmark, Austin, Texas, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Iwundu, C. (Author & Presenter), Hernandez, D. (Author), Ferguson-Colvin, K. (Author), Narendorf, S.C. (Author), Santa Maria, D. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior, The association between adverse childhood experiences and HIV/STI screening, Virtual, United States of America. (2021 - 2021).
  • Khalafi, S. (Author & Presenter), Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Businelle, M.S. (Author), Kendzor, D.E. (Author), Reitzel, L.R. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior, Moderating Effect of Sex on the Relation of Mental Illness Diagnosis and Perceived Social Support in Homeless Adults, canceled due to COVID-19, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).
  • Connors, S.K. (Author & Presenter), Martinez Leal, I. (Author & Presenter), Nitturi, V. (Author), Maza, V. (Author), Odoh, C.N. (Author), Reyes, S. (Author), Reitzel, L.R. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB), A Qualitative Analysis of Factors Influencing African American Women's Decision-Making Processes and Preferences Regarding Breast Reconstruction: Preliminary Findings, canceled due to COVID-19, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).
  • Agrawal, P. (Author & Presenter), Neisler, J. (Author), Businelle, M.S. (Author), Kendzor, D.E. (Author), Hernandez, D.C. (Author), Odoh, C. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB), Exposure to Violence and Sleep Inadequacies among Men and Women Living in a Shelter Setting, canceled due to COVID-19, United States of America. (2020 - 2020).
  • Lim, H. (Author & Presenter), Odoh, C. (Author), Businelle, M.S. (Author), Vidrine, J. (Author), Kendzor, D.E. (Author), Reitzel, L.R. (Author), Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences (PHLS) Research Symposium, Houston, Texas, Health Literacy and Self-rated Health among Homeless Adults, Houston, Texas, United States of America. (2019 - 2019).
  • Stojda, D.K. (Author & Presenter), Hollenbach, R.R. (Author), Jones, F. (Author), Harris, M.J. (Author), Klein, J.M. (Author), Kwarteng, N.A. (Author), Odoh, C. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB), Healthy Food Options Contributed by International Food Markets in Jefferson County, Kentucky, Greenville, South Carolina, United States of America. (2019 - 2019).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Bhavsar, S. (Author), Chen, T. (Author), Neisler, J. (Author), Businelle, M.S. (Author), Kendzor, D.E. (Author), Reitzel, L.R. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB), Perceived Living Environment and Stress Levels among Sheltered Homeless Men and Women, Greenville, South Carolina, United States of America. (2019 - 2019).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Agrawal, P. (Author), Businelle, M.S. (Author), Kendzor, D.E. (Author), Reitzel, L.R. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB), Sex as a Predictor of Overnight and Emergency Treatment among Homeless Adults, Greenville. South Carolina, United States of America. (2019 - 2019).
  • Reyes, S. (Author & Presenter), Maza, V. (Author), Odoh, C. (Author), Reitzel, L.R. (Author), Connors, S.K. (Author), 18th Annual Student Research Conference at the University of Houston-Downtown, Houston, Exploring Breast Reconstruction in African American Women: Framework and Methods, Houston, Texas, United States of America. (2019 - 2019).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Sears, L. (Author), Polivka, B. (Author), Brock, G. (Author), Zierold, K. (Author), Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research (SPER), Autism-Like Behaviors and Exposure to Pollutants among Underserved Children in Kentucky, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Sears, L. (Author), Polivka, B. (Author), Brock, G. (Author), Zierold, K. (Author), Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER), Elemental Exposure to Copper and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders among Children in Proximity to Coal Ash Storage Sites, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Sears, L. (Author), Polivka, B. (Author), Brock, G. (Author), Zierold, K. (Author), Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER), Utility of the Behavioral Assessment and Research Systems (BARS) in Measuring Attention Among Children Residing Near Coal Ash Storage Sites, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Tompkins, L. (Author & Presenter), Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Zierold, K. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior, The Health and Exposure Histories of One Community Battling Environmental Discrimination, Portland, OR, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Sears, L. (Author), Hanchette, C. (Author), Polivka, B. (Author), Brock, G. (Author), Zierold, K. (Author), American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders and Aluminum Exposure among Underserved Children, Portland, Oregon, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Sears, L. (Author), Hanchette, C. (Author), Polivka, B. (Author), Brock, G. (Author), Zierold, K. (Author), Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER), Association Between Fly Ash Exposure and Social Functioning in Children, Seattle, Washington, United States of America. (2017 - 2017).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Sanderson, M. (Author), Williams, E.A. (Author), Hull, P.C. (Author), Meharry-Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center-Tennessee State University Cancer Partnership 14th Annual Retreat, Changes in Predictors of HPV Vaccination among Adolescents in the United States, 2008 to 2013, Nashville, TN, United States of America. (2015 - 2015).
  • Odoh, C. (Author & Presenter), Casali, B. (Author), Keri, R. (Author), National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Testing the Inhibitors Rapamycin and Dasatinib on the Viability of Breast Cancer Cells, Ithaca, New York, United States of America. (2011 - 2011).

Service

University Service

  • Faculty Advisor, Nigerian Student Association. (June 2022 - Present).
  • Member, RHS Student Success Committee. (2019 - Present).
  • Member, Faculty Senate - Faculty Mentor Committee - Group VII. (October 2023 - October 2026).
  • Member, Search Committee - Public Health Tenure Track Position. (August 2023 - November 2023).
  • Member, Search Committee - Public Health Lecturer. (May 2023 - June 2023).
  • Attendee, Meeting, Public Health Fair. (May 2023 - May 2023).
  • Member, PhD Student Search Committee. (February 19, 2021 - February 23, 2023).
  • Member, Search Committee - Clinical Professor. (January 2022 - March 2022).
  • Member, Search Committee for Lecturer Position in Public Health. (May 5, 2021 - May 26, 2021).
  • Faculty Mentor, Kirsteen Edereka-Great. (August 2020 - April 2021).
  • Member, Search Committee - Public Health Adjunct Position. (October 29, 2020 - October 29, 2020).
  • Committee Member, Grade Appeal Committee. (February 2020 - April 2020).
  • Faculty Advisor, UNT Spring Review Academic Fair. (March 7, 2020 - March 7, 2020).

Public Service

  • Mentor, University of Houston. Houston, Texas. (November 2020 - November 2020).
  • Guest Speaker, University of Houston. (December 2019 - December 2019).

Professional Service

  • Reviewer, Journal Article, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. (February 6, 2021 - March 6, 2021).
  • Attendee, Meeting, Society for Epidemiologic Research: Translating Epidemiologic Research to Effective Action: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic.. (November 11, 2020 - November 11, 2020).
  • Attendee, Meeting, Professor Training for Professor and Instructional Support of Blind and Visually Impaired Students. (October 22, 2020 - October 22, 2020).
  • Attendee, Meeting, Cerego Webinar: Teaching Remotely During the Pandemic: Strategies and Interactive Workshop. (October 16, 2020 - October 16, 2020).
  • Attendee, Meeting, Organizational Development and Engagement (Communicating with Confidence). Denton, Texas. (July 2020 - July 2020).
  • Attendee, Meeting, Society for Epidemiologic Research: Health equity during the COVID-19 pandemic: urban-rural dimensions. (July 2020 - July 2020).
  • Attendee, Meeting, UNT Grantsmanship Workshop. (February 27, 2020 - February 27, 2020).
  • Reviewer, Journal Article, American Academy of Health Behavior. (January 2020 - January 2020).
  • Reviewer, Conference Paper, American Academy of Health Behavior. (October 2019 - October 2019).