Research Manager
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Director
HamesNet
Lauren A. Cafferty, M.A. serves asResearch Managerand theDirectorof HamesNet at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, where she brings extensive expertise in health communication research and practice-based research networks. She is also a doctoral candidate in Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences) at The George Washington University.
With over a decade of experience in health communication research, Cafferty has contributed to more than 26 peer-reviewed publications examining topics ranging from diabetes diagnosis communication to COVID-19 vaccine decision-making. Her research has been published in leading journals includingHealth Communication,Academic Medicine, theJournal of General Internal Medicine, andFamily Medicine. Her diverse background includes serving as a Research Analyst at Hollywood, Health & Society, where she examined the influence of television storylines on viewers' health knowledge and behaviors. Her expertise spans qualitative inquiry, translational science, and multi-site clinical research coordination. She has particular expertise in practice-based research networks, having previously coordinated nationwide studies across multiple clinical sites.
Cafferty's work has been recognized with national awards, including the 2021 Outstanding Research Coordinator award from the North American Primary Care Research Group and distinction as a 2022 Distinguished Alumni for Communication from George Mason University.
In her current role, she oversees research section operations, manages various projects, and tracks grant milestones while fostering research staff development and community engagement initiatives.
She holds an M.A. in Communication Studies from Texas State University and a B.A. in Communication with emphasis in Public Relations from George Mason University.