Ashby F Walker, Ph.D.

Dr. Ashby Walker received her Ph.D. from Emory University and serves as the Director of Community and Population Health Research at the University of Florida Diabetes Institute. Dr. Walker is the elected Chair of the American Diabetes Association National Health Disparities Committee and a member of the the Chronic Diseases & Conditions Priority Area Workgroup (PAW) of the Florida State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). Dr. Walker’s research focuses on reducing health disparities in diabetes through increasing access to diabetes care with the Project ECHO model, and through increased use of technologies like continuous glucose monitors. Dr. Walker’s research is currently funded through the American Diabetes Association, the NIH NIDDK, The Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the Florida Department of Health. Dr. Walker is the recipient of seven teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development awards and was featured as “People to Know” by Diabetes Forecast Magazine in 2019.

Dr. Walker is the PI of several funded studies aiming to promote health equity for vulnerable populations with diabetes. Dr. Walker’s research focuses on improving access and utilization of diabetes-related technologies like continuous glucose monitors (CGM) through the use of peer support and the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (Project ECHO) provider empowerment model. Dr. Walker is currently funded through the American Diabetes Association, the NIH NIDDK, The Florida Department of Health, and The Helmsley Charitable Trust.