Josephine "Jo" Korchmaros, PhD

2025 University Distinguished Outreach Faculty Award

Dr. Korchmaros is Director of the University of Arizona’s Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW). Since earning her doctoral degree in Social Psychology with a focus on quantitative research methods in 2003, Dr. Korchmaros has developed, implemented, evaluated, and provided training and technical assistance for multiple grant-funded research projects of importance to underserved populations, especially those experiencing health disparities (e.g., racial/sexual minorities including women/girls and Native American populations). Her research has focused on treatment models; reduction of risk behaviors; addressing group-based (e.g., culture and gender identification) health disparities; and system and policy improvement in such areas as sexual health, substance use, and justice-involvement.

Dr. Korchmaros takes a research-to-practice focus, aiming to:

• disseminate research findings in a timely manner using multiple mediums and outlets;
• increase the extent to which practice is informed by research; and
• encourage policy change and funding programs informed by current research and knowledge.

She has produced peer-reviewed research briefs, trainings, papers, implementation tools, and presentations concerning accurate identification of service need within underrepresented and disadvantaged populations, effectively addressing such need, and health-related behavior change.

Dr. Korchmaros also has extensive experience conducting and assisting others to conduct culturally-informed intervention and research. She has developed theoretically-based health-related behavior interventions for different populations and has informed the field about the particular influencing factors related to health-related behavior among particular populations. Finally, Dr. Korchmaros’ work has informed the field about the practice of implementing culturally-informed intervention and research.