Overview
Dr. Amy Corneli, a social scientist by training, conducts qualitative, mixed-method, intervention, and implementation science research. Her work spans the U.S. and multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia. She has a history of collaborating with and learning from community organizations and representatives in conducting research with populations that face discrimination, bias, or unequal treatment within the healthcare system and society due to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Her collaborative research often focuses on generating synergies between the creativity of art and the analytical thinking of science. The findings from her research inform clinical trials and practice, socio-behavioral interventions, guideline development, and the practical dissemination of proven interventions.
Dr. Corneli's current research portfolio encompasses three areas:
- Leading, co-leading, mentoring, and supporting qualitative, mixed-methods, and implementation science research in HIV prevention.
- Serving as a methodological investigative partner on qualitative, mixed-methods, and intervention research on a variety of health conditions and topics with faculty in the School of Medicine at Duke University.
- Leading the social science team for the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative, a public-private initiative between Duke University and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Dr. Corneli is also the:
- Founder and Director of QualCore, a group of PhD- and master-level social scientists who partner with Duke faculty to provide scientific direction and interviewing and analysis expertise in qualitative research.
- Co-founder and Director of The BASE (Bioethics and Stakeholder Engagement) Lab, a group of faculty and staff that partner with clinical investigators at Duke to conduct research with key contributors to inform the planning, conduct, interpretation, and reporting of clinical research.
- Director of the Duke CFAR Social and Behavioral Sciences Core.
QualCore | https://populationhealth.duke.edu/research/qualcore
The BASE Lab | https://populationhealth.duke.edu/research/base-lab
Duke CFAR Social and Behavioral Sciences Core | https://cfar.duke.edu
Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative | https://www.ctti-clinicaltrials.org
Prior to joining Duke University, Dr. Corneli was engaged in biomedical HIV prevention research at FHI 360 for 10 years.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Barriers and Facilitators Influencing Parents' Willingness to Follow Healthcare Provider Guidance for Addressing Behaviors Linked to Early Childhood Obesity Risk: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.
Journal Article J Pediatr Health Care · March 10, 2025 INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess parents' willingness to modify behaviors associated with obesity risk upon a provider's recommendation in the first six months of life among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic families. METHOD: Twenty parents completed ... Full text Link to item CiteAdoption of Decentralized Trial Elements in Cancer Clinical Trials Supporting FDA Approvals During COVID-19.
Conference Clin Cancer Res · March 4, 2025 The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cancer clinical trials, prompting sponsors to adopt decentralized clinical trial (DCT) elements to ensure patient safety and trial continuity. Supported by FDA emergency guidance, the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence, in co ... Full text Link to item CitePerspectives of Rheumatologists on the Type 1 and 2 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Model.
Journal Article ACR Open Rheumatol · December 2024 OBJECTIVE: The Type 1 and 2 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Model was developed to encapsulate all signs and symptoms that patients with SLE experience. Our previous qualitative work demonstrated the model accurately reflects the lived experience of peo ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Increasing the Quality and Efficiency of Clinical Trials (U18)
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Food and Drug Administration · 2014 - 2029Provider Remote ObsTetric-Related Employment Education (PROMOTE) and ObsTetric HEAlth Equity ResearCH Mentoring (TEACH) Equity
Clinical TrialCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Advancing Reproductive Rheumatology through Research Mentoring
ResearchQuality Management Coordinator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029View All Grants