Associate Professor

Areas of Interest
Psychosocial outcomes, complementary and integrative healthcare, women’s health, and the impact of oral health in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and other neurological conditions. Her work includes leading and contributing to multiple funded studies on self-efficacy interventions, cognitive health, and healthcare accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Biography

Jenn Coker, Ph.D., MPH, FASIA received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Berry College, a Master of Public Health from Emory University. and Ph.D. in Clinical Investigations from the University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus.

Dr. Coker began her research career right after college as a clinical research coordinator at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She then went on to serve in various roles for in spinal cord injury (SCI) research programs in prestigious rehabilitation research institutions, such as Shepherd Center, Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Health Professions, and Craig Hospital.

Throughout her career, Dr. Coker has established herself as a leading investigator in SCI outcomes research. Her research portfolio includes pioneering investigations into self-efficacy interventions for individuals with SCI, the integration of complementary and integrative healthcare approaches, and the impact of oral health on overall well-being in this population. Through her research, she aims to enhance quality of life, improve rehabilitation outcomes, and address health disparities in these populations.

Her research has been supported by federal and foundation grants over the last 10 years totaling over $18 million in funding. She formerly served as Co-PD for the Rocky Mountain Regional Spinal Injury System, Site PI for the SCI Model Systems Collaborative project, both of which are funded by the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, PI for a project funded by the Craig H Neilsen Foundation, as well as Site PI for a prospective multi-center longitudinal cohort study sponsored by the Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America. She currently holds a grant from the Neilsen Foundation, and as noted earlier, is Co-PD of the NSCISC.

Dr. Coker has authored an extensive body of peer-reviewed publications. Her reputation as a respected scientist and leader is underscored by her numerous awards, including the recent 2020 Mulcahey Award for Research in Outcomes Measurement and the 2022 Spinal Research Institute SCI Writing Prize. She serves on the Editorial Board for Topics in SCI Rehabilitation, as Review Editor of the Disability Rehabilitation and Inclusion section for the Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, and as a guest topic editor of Promoting Participation Following Neurotrauma for the Frontiers Research Topics. She has also served on grant review panels for the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Education Foundation.

Dr. Coker’s service contributions are equally impactful. At Craig Hospital, she played a pivotal role in multiple committees, including serving as the Founding Chair of the Research Think Tank and as Chair of the Women’s Health Initiative. Nationally, she has held leadership positions within the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), including her recent appointment to its Board of Directors and designation as a Fellow of ASIA (FASIA) for her outstanding research and service to ASIA and the SCI community. Internationally, she currently serves on multiple committees and special interest groups for the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS). In the community, Dr. Coker is the former chair and current member of the Board of Directors for the Colorado Brain Injury Trust Fund and Board of the Shine Music Festival, an inclusive and accessible music festival that gives people of all abilities access to the power of live music.

In addition to her own work, Dr. Coker has been instrumental in mentoring graduate students and clinicians for research through various initiatives, which she will be implementing in her role at UAB as well. Her leadership and commitment to advancing rehabilitation research and patient care have significantly benefited the field.

Education & Training

Ph.D., University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus
MPH, Emory University
FASIA, Fellow - American Spinal Injury Association