OUR WORK.
The SUPERNOVA Lab at Spelman College is dedicated to advancing health equity through research, advocacy, and community engagement. Our work centers the voices and experiences of underserved populations—particularly Black women and birthing people—by conducting ethical, justice-driven research on issues like maternal and child health, reproductive justice, mental health, and racism in public health.
Positioning Critical Theories Towards an Index of Black Women’s Functioning in STEM.
Documenting the lived experiences of Black women navigating STEM education
This multi-project research series explores how Black women navigate the structural, cultural, and interpersonal challenges of pursuing STEM. Through focus groups and qualitative interviews, we examine how students function under pressure, resist conformity, and find community. One branch of the project centers the unique experiences of Queer Black women in STEM, amplifying the voices often left out of mainstream narratives. Other studies explore the impact of structured mentorship, the effects of gendered racism, and the strategies Black women use to survive—and thrive—in environments that were not built with them in mind. Together, these projects reveal not only the barriers Black women face, but also the brilliance, resistance, and transformative potential they bring to STEM spaces.
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Leveraging Big Data to Implement Predictive Models of Maternal Depression.
Understanding how systemic inequities impact the mental health of birthing people.
Supported by the Simons Foundation, and the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division at Spelman; by positioning intersectionality and leveraging big data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), this study aims to develop a predictive model for maternal depression.
Creating the First Maternal & Child Health Course at Spelman College.
Building pathways for reproductive justice, awareness, and academic opportunity on campus.
This project began with a campus-wide needs assessment aimed at understanding Spelman students’ knowledge, interest, and access to maternal and child health (MCH) resources. The findings revealed a strong demand for culturally relevant programming and education around reproductive justice, mental health, birth equity, and caregiving. In response, we developed and launched Spelman’s first-ever Maternal and Child Health course, providing students with a formal academic space to explore the field through a health equity and liberation-centered lens.
Women's, Perinatal, and Children's Health Workforce Development
Equipping students with real-world research, writing, and leadership experience.
In partnership with Lamis Womb Care, we developed an intensive, hands-on training course designed to equip Spelman students with the skills, knowledge, and professional exposure needed to confront and address the Black maternal health crisis. With Black maternal mortality rates remaining alarmingly high, this program trains students to become the advocates, doulas, public health professionals, and care providers our communities urgently need. Students engage in interactive workshops, real-world case studies, guest lectures from industry leaders, community outreach, and a capstone project that brings their training to life. The course also provides direct access to a network of maternal and reproductive health professionals and offers mentorship and career development opportunities that prepare students for impactful roles in this growing field.
