About
Dr. Lowe has been a full-time faculty member at the Clemson University School of Nursing since 2016. She served as a lecturer at the Clemson University School of Nursing from 2016-2021. She obtained her Ph.D. in Healthcare Genetics from Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina in May 2020. In August 2021, she became an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing. Prior to becoming a nurse educator, Dr. Lowe served in clinical practice as a public health nurse. In this role, she provided population-based care, with a focus on disease control and prevention and patient education. Her extensive knowledge of genetics, combined with her clinical and educational background, provides the foundational knowledge needed to conduct genomic and health research. She has successfully managed a funded collaborative research project titled “Translational Science of Newborn Screening.” Her current research focuses on examining the impact of social determinants of health on individuals affected by genetic conditions.
Visit Dr. Lowe's Faculty Profile.
How their research is transforming health care
In the United States, more than 21 million individuals are affected by genetic conditions. These individuals are often underrepresented in research. Ensuring larger, more diverse populations are included in research can lead to an improved understanding of disease pathophysiology and help bridge the knowledge gap related to the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on this population. SDOH are those nonmedical factors, such as socioeconomic status, educational level, race, and geographic location, that may influence health outcomes. It is well-recognized that social factors contribute to health outcomes in non-genetic conditions. However, assessing the impact of SDOH on individuals affected by genetic disorders is limited. It is imperative to bring awareness of the relationship between genetics and social barriers. Dr. Lowe intends to develop innovative research to improve knowledge related to the effects of SDOH on individuals affected by genetic disorders and to identify ways to improve access to care. Knowledge gained from this innovative research has the potential to identify ways to lessen the impacts of social factors and to improve individual health outcomes.
Health Research Expertise Keywords
Screenings, Newborn Screening, Inherited cancer, Genetics, Genomics, Social determinants of health, social factors, health outcomes
