Meet Our Trainees
Our trainees are the heart of our educational mission, bringing fresh perspectives and dedication to the work of violence prevention. The VPC proudly supports trainees at all levels, from undergraduate students to postdoctoral fellows, each of whom plays a vital role in advancing our research and community impact.
postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral fellowships provide career development opportunities for talented early career scholars to spend dedicated time pursuing their research on health disparities and violence prevention with access to the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center resources. The Center aims to give fellows a hub where they have the time, space, and resources to pursue research related to violence prevention; opportunities to engage with scholars at UNC Charlotte and community partners, a community where they can learn from one another; and opportunities to contribute to the mission and vision of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center.
Dr. Cain earned her PhD in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research interests focus on preventing and mitigating the effects of trauma and improving trauma treatment.
Dr. Fortson earned her PhD in Public Health from Georgia State University. Her research centers on the etiology and prevention of health inequities in racially and ethnically minoritized populations, with a particular focus on substance misuse, mental health, and traumatic life experiences.
Graduate Students
Graduate students are integral to our projects, applying their skills in research methods, program evaluation, and data analysis. As they work closely with VPC faculty and community stakeholders, they gain practical experience and insight into program development and the complexities of implementing violence prevention strategies. Their work supports both the academic and community-facing goals of the VPC.
Interested in becoming a trainee? Email us to express your interest and learn more about opportunities to get involved with the VPC.