Simani Price, PhD

Westat
Health Communications Research
1600 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD
USA 20850
Email: simaniprice@westat.com

Biographical Sketch:
2005 - Present -- Senior Study Director, Westat, Rockville, MD 2004 - 2005 -- Technical Consultant, Porter Novelli, Washington, DC 2000-2004 -- Senior Research Scientist, American Institue for Research, Silver Spring, MD 1999-2000 -- Analytical Consultant, Time Warner, Inc./Time Life, Alexandria, VA 1997-1999 -- Claritas, Inc., Arlington, VA 1996-1997 -- Independent Consultant, Washington, D.C. 1994-1996 -- Virginia Polytecnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA Directing a number of health communication research studies for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These studies include: framing of risk communication messages to explain biomonitoring data; developing a survey instrument to inform a core set of health communication and marketing variables that can be used to conduct periodic population surveys on a range of health protection topics across CDC program areas; and assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of different target audiences regarding climate change and health effects to develop messaging on this subject (2005-present). Developed strategic initiatives in the area of cancer communications, social marketing, and digital media (2004-2005). Evaluated programs, products, services, and promotional campaigns to provide strategic direction for customer acquisition and retention for new products and services (1999-2000). Developed research methodology or creating, updating, and evaluating geodemographic market segmentation systems, such as PRIZM and Hispanic Portraits (1997-1999). Author or co-author for 16 publications primarily related to health communication and social marketing. Numerous presentations and scientific meetings.