Research Interests
1. Stress/embodiment
2. Epigenetics
3. Inflammation
4. Stress narratives
5. African and African diasporic health
The fundamental biological mechanisms through which Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors (SEFs) impact health outcomes remain largely uncharted. My current research project seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the influence of SEFs on stress biomarkers linked to inflammation. In particular, the study will achieve the following objectives:
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1. Investigate variations in measurements of inflammatory-related biomarkers among African Americans in relation to their SEFs.
2. Explore the interplay between SEFs, methylation levels in C-reactive protein (CRP), and CRP levels among African Americans.
3. Examine the associations between CRP levels, CRP methylation, and stress in a cross-cultural comparison involving individuals from Lagos, Nigeria.
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All three objectives aim to elucidate the connection between individuals' lived experiences and the biological mechanisms governing inflammatory responses. This research also addresses the potential role of environmental diversity in moderating CRP levels within the context of this study and more broadly, in relation to health and susceptibility to diseases.
Latest Publications
Winful, T., Sorunke, M., Benn Torres, J. (2024). “Exploring the Relationship between Stress, Salivary C-Reactive Protein, and Embodied Physiological Responses in a Nigerian Population”. American Journal of Human Biology.
Winful, T. (2024). “Bioethics as a dynamic issue: Holistic approaches to understanding and applying ethics to study design”. Human Biology
Winful, T., McCormack, K., Mueller, E., Chen, L., La Corporación Piñones Se Integra (COPI), Clemente R. M., Benn Torres, J. (2023). Exploring the legacy of African and Indigenous Caribbean admixture in Puerto Rico. American Journal of Biological Anthropology.