Assistant Professor, Health Sciences Program Hampton University School of Nursing
Professional Summary
Alicia L. Coles is an Assistant Professor in the Health Sciences Program at Hampton University’s School of Nursing, bringing more than 30 years of experience in higher education and a professional background in mental health counseling. Her academic and scholarly work focuses on integrated behavioral healthcare, chronic stress, the gut–brain axis, and health disparities, particularly among Black women and underserved populations. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) at Cummings Graduate Institute, she is dedicated to advancing culturally responsive, evidence-based approaches to healthcare, interdisciplinary education, and health equity. Her professional mission centers on preparing compassionate healthcare leaders while promoting whole-person wellness through education, research, and community engagement.
Research Interests

• Integrated Behavioral Healthcare and Whole-Person Wellness
• Gut–Brain Axis and Psychobiome Research
• Chronic Stress and Psychophysiological Health
• Black Women’s Behavioral Health and Health Equity
• Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed Care
• Population Health and Social Determinants of Health
• Interdisciplinary Healthcare Education and Workforce Development

Research Philosophy
“Centering Black women in care that heals, affirms, and transforms.”