Faculty Spotlight

Alice Lee, PhD and Tabashir Nobari, PhD, MPH

Dr. Lee has been studying women’s health and cancer epidemiology for over 10 years. Her research primarily focuses on developing and implementing strategies to improve primary and secondary prevention of cancer. She has extensive experience leveraging large-scale datasets, such as cancer registry databases and national population surveys, to study cancer risk and survival, particularly in racial/ethnic minority populations. Her interest to address cancer disparities has also led to several successful collaborations with non-profit organizations that serve the Asian American and cancer patient communities.

Since joining CSUF, Dr. Lee has been a strong advocate of student mentorship and training the next generation of public health professionals and researchers. She currently serves as the Project Director of the Professions Advancing and Transforming Health (PATH) Academy at CSUF, which is a comprehensive program supporting students in their pursuit of health-related careers that is funded by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. Prior to this role, she was the Director of the Allied Health Academy’s Summer Research Experience, which was funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Dr. Lee recently received an award funded by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information ($3,035,422). The Professions Advancing and Transforming Health (PATH) Academy aims to train and support students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in their pursuit of health-related careers. It entails multiple student programs, many of which include mentorship and partnerships with community organizations (e.g., Orange County Health Care Agency).

Dr. Lee has over 50 peer-reviewed publications and her research has been supported by the National Cancer Institute, the California Breast Cancer Research Program, the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer as well as numerous intramural grants. For a complete list of Dr. Lee’s publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/161ljHEDzewAl/bibliography/public/

Dr. Nobari received the 2024 College of Health and Human Development’s (CHHD) Outstanding Teaching Award. Her teaching focuses on helping students develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and fundamental skills such as effective communication and collaboration which will help them succeed in their careers.

Dr. Nobari’s lectures include active learning opportunities. Students apply epidemiologic skills when solving a real-world outbreak using "CDC’s Solve the Outbreak.” Students also learn factors to consider in choosing an employer-based health plan whereas students in PUBH 411 (Promoting Health in Diverse Populations) and develop interventions to address different levels of racism.  She invites guest speakers to reinforce the teachings and share their perspectives and experiences. Special Assistant Attorney General James Toma of the California Department of Justice guest lectured to the Master of Public Health (MPH) students on the Attorney General’s Rob Bonta’s public health-related activities such as protections for reproductive health.

Dr. Nobari incorporates her research into the classes so students understand the importance of what they are learning and how it can be used. She uses figures from her research on Cal State Fullerton students’ food and housing insecurity to highlight how data can be used to identify health issues a community may have, understand what health disparities are, learn to interpret data correctly, and discuss potential interventions.

Dr. Nobari strives to create community and an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions. She uses a getting-to-know-you survey to alleviate any issues or concerns students may have and an office hour visit assignment, so students become comfortable approaching and connecting with her. Dr. Nobari has scaffolded group assignments where students learn how to interact with others while given the opportunity to identify, address, and prevent issues.

Dr. Nobari is committed to her students’ academic and professional development. Since joining CSUF, she has mentored 10 MPH students on their culminating project where she teaches them data management and visualization and how to write an abstract and create a poster. Her students have presented at the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting, the largest public health conference, at the Spirit of 1848 Student Poster session.