TAMIU Prof Nominated as a COVID-19 Data Hero for Research Efforts Throughout Pandemic
Dr. Angelique Blackburn, assistant professor of Psychology at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) was recently nominated as a recipient of the COVID-19 Data Hero by the internationally recognized Data Access, Transparency and Advocacy (DATA) Group.
The Award aims to recognize individuals who have made data a central element of their efforts and communications during COVID-19, as noted by DATA. Dr. Blackburn joins the list of nominees alongside well-known researchers, doctors and scientists, such as Vin Gupta, Katelyn Jetelina and Emily Smith.
To view the full list of nominees, visit https://dataheroawards.org. Winners will be announced March 31.
The nominations recognize individuals in five distinct categories that showcase their specialized skills, including Newcomers to the field of data; Specialists who gained a collective understanding of COVID-19 and its respective trends; Professionals who have used their careers and talents to foster a life-long study in data science; the Press who have informed the public through data and science-driven journalism, or Provocateurs who have served as advocates of data in the midst of challenge.
Blackburn was nominated as a Specialist for volunteering her research skills to help combat the global pandemic. Due to her expertise in survey design and survey science, Blackburn was asked to join the COVIDiSTRESS Global Research Consortium. There, she helped create a global survey studying the effects of COVID-19.
Currently, the Consortium includes over 100 members who collected data from 173,426 respondents from 179 countries.
Additionally, Blackburn began a longitudinal study on the impact of COVID-19 in Laredo. The research offers an opportunity to understand a community before their first local COVID-19 case through the time when the community became a COVID-19 hotspot. This study aligns with her research efforts which include large-scale data collection to help formulate a series of validated surveys, including a Survey of Experience in Code-Switching Environments.
Blackburn’s specializations include cognitive neuroscience, survey design, and bilingualism. Throughout her research, she uses neurocognitive and survey methods to study the long-term effects of language habits on cognition.
Blackburn earned a Ph.D. in Neurobiology at the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as a master’s degree in Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University and two bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Modern Languages at Winthrop University. Blackburn began her teaching career at the University in 2017. Prior to that, she served as a faculty member at the University of the Incarnate Word.
For more information on the COVID-19 Data Hero award, visit https://dataheroawards.org.
The University’s dedicated COVID-19 website is updated daily and includes an expansive FAQ, quick links, student resources, official information links and much more.
