Research Interests:
- Indigenous identity
- Healthcare access and utilization
- Cancer genetic counseling
- Cancer screening and prevention service promotion and access
- Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Biography
I am a member of Ohkay Owingeh and Postdoctoral Researcher at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Department of Indigenous Cancer Health. I earned my PhD in Health Behavior Health Promotion at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health studying barriers to healthcare for Indigenous students at the University of Arizona and the role of Indigenous identity. I also have a Bachelors of Arts and MPH from Columbia University in New York City.
In addition to my research, I serve as adjunct faculty at Tohono O'odham Community College teaching Introduction to Public and Community Health. My research background is focused on the interconnection of Indigenous identity and healthcare utilization and access among Indigenous populations. I conduct research around cancer care support, cancer health education, urban Indigenous health policy, and Indigenous Data Sovereignty. My current research is into expanding access to cancer genetic counseling services for Indigenous people across the United States.
Positions
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Research Associate (Post Doctoral)
- Ohkay Owingeh
- Department of Indigenous Cancer Health
Background
Education and Training
- 2025 - PhD - Health Behavior Health Promotion, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
- 2019 - MPH - Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY
- 2017 - BA - Psychology, Columbia University, New York City, NY
Fellowship
- 2019-2021 - Public Health Associates Program, Centers for Disease Control, Phoenix, AZ
Professional Memberships
- American Public Health Association
Honors & Awards
- Delta Omega Honor Society in Public Health
Publications
1. Carson, W. O., Curley, C., Goldtooth-Halwood, R., McClelland, D. J., Carroll, S. R., Yuan, N. P., Carvajal, S., & Cordova-Marks, F. M. (2024). Examining Indigenous identity as a protective factor in mental well-being research in the United States: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(11), 1404. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/11/1404
2. Carson, W. O., Little, A., Monetathchi, A., Erdrich, J., & Cordova-Marks, F. M. (2025). Analysis of Urban Indian Organizations' promotion of cancer services. Cancer Research Communications. https://doi.org/10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-24-0335
3. Carson, W. O., Cordova-Marks, F. M., Jennings, L. L., & Carroll, S. (2025). Reaffirming Indigenous data sovereignty in New Mexico as a result of COVID-19. Frontiers in Public Health. [https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1302655
4. Carson, W. O., Cordova-Marks, F. M., & Carroll, S. R. (2024). Exploring the historical complexities of Native identity formation, blood quantum, and modern tribal enrollment criteria. Journal of Global Indigeneity, 8(1). https://commons.library.stonybrook.edu/jgi/vol8/iss1/3
5. Cordova-Marks, F. M., Carson, W. O., Monetathchi, A., Little, A., & Erdrich, J. (2022). Native and Indigenous populations and gastric cancer: A worldwide review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5437. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095437