Meet the team

Dr. Byrd joined the lab in 2022 as a Program Manager and Research Associate, bringing a renewed mind to project coordination, integrity, and purpose driven work. In her role, she supports and connects the many moving parts of the lab’s research activities, including funding acquisition and management, administrative operations, research ethics training, protocol development and compliance, team and community partner coordination, and evaluation and dissemination efforts.
At the heart of her work is a dedication to helping ideas move from vision to impact. One of the most meaningful aspects of her role is collaborating closely with Dr. Lola and the HER Lab trainees—working alongside a team that believes in collective learning, shared leadership, and making research matter in real and tangible ways.
In her own reflection, Dr. Byrd often notes that project management is something we all practice every day. What matters most, she believes, is the system beneath it—the consistent choices, beliefs, patterns, and tools that shape how work is done and how people are treated within that work. She is grateful to contribute to a lab environment that values intention, growth, and accountability.
Beyond HER Lab, Dr. Byrd is also deeply appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate on diverse projects with faculty across the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the Purdue University College of Pharmacy. It is both an honor and a privilege for her to contribute to work that aims to reach—even if only—one more person than before, advancing understanding, care, and justice along the way.