Kate Marmion School of Public Health
University of Texas at San Antonio
Dr. Erika L. Thompson, PhD, MPH, FAAHB, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Quantitative and Qualitative Health Sciences in the Kate Marmion School of Public Health at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Thompson joined the American Academy of Health Behavior in 2015 as a doctoral student, and the Academy has since become her academic home. She has held multiple leadership roles within AAHB, including Board Secretary, Chair of the Professional Development and Mentoring Council, and Co-Director of the Research Scholars and Mentoring Program. She was the recipient of the AAHB Judy K. Black Early Career Award in 2020 and was named a Fellow of AAHB in 2022.
Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on human papillomavirus (HPV) cancer prevention through vaccination and cervical cancer screening. Her work examines HPV vaccine decision-making, community-based implementation approaches, and alternative health care providers and settings for HPV prevention. Her research and public health implementation efforts have been supported by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the National Institutes of Health, non-profit organizations, and industry partners.
Dr. Thompson’s goal as a mentor is to cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment in which mentees feel seen, valued, and empowered to pursue their own definitions of success. She views mentorship as a dynamic and reciprocal relationship that evolves over time and continues beyond formal training periods. By centering the mentee’s voice and fostering a culture of growth and belonging, she strives to contribute to a more equitable and impactful public health and health behavior workforce. Dr. Thompson has also contributed to the scholarship of mentorship through the National Research Mentoring Network and is a certified Entering Mentoring Facilitator through the Center for the Improvement of Mentoring Experiences in Research, as well as a STAR Leadership Grant Coach.
Dr. Thompson earned her MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Florida and her PhD in Public Health from the University of South Florida. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship focused on women’s reproductive health at the University of South Florida.
What does this award mean to you?
I am extremely grateful for this accolade. My passion for mentoring is deeply rooted in the transformative mentorship I received from extraordinary women throughout my academic journey. My mentees continually expand my worldview, challenge my assumptions, and inspire me to grow as both a researcher and a person. Watching mentees succeed is among the most fulfilling aspects of my work. For me, mentorship is not just a professional responsibility, it is a privilege and a source of enduring joy.
Dr. Erika L. Thompson, PhD, MPH, FAAHB