Overview
Asheley Cockrell Skinner, PhD, is a health services researcher whose work addresses a variety of population health issues, particularly implementation of programs to improve the health of vulnerable populations. She is currently a Professor in Population Health Sciences at Duke University. She received her PhD in 2007 in Health Policy and Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A nationally-known expert in childhood obesity, her work uses a data-driven approach to understand pediatric obesity and improve implementation of evidence-based treatment. She applies this implementation science approach to other populations, including those with opioid use disorder and people who use drugs. In addition to her many roles in research, she also currently serves as the Director of Graduate Studies for Population Health Sciences, directs multiple training programs, and actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, fellows, and junior faculty.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
The Feasibility of Using Best Practice Alerts in Pediatric Primary Care for Obesity Research.
Journal Article Acad Pediatr · March 26, 2026 BACKGROUND: Recruiting participants in pediatric obesity research is challenging due to logistical and systemic barriers. This study evaluated the use of a best practice alert (BPA) within the electronic health record (EHR) to aid in recruitment for a rand ... Full text Link to item CiteNutrition and obesity in under-represented population (NOURISH): study protocol to examine the effect of restricted and unrestricted financial benefits on infant food insecurity, growth, and nutrition.
Journal Article BMC Pediatr · January 10, 2026 BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that food insecurity (FI) during infancy is associated with higher odds of obesity in early childhood, but the evidence regarding the impact of FI interventions on improving child body mass index (BMI) remains inconclusive. T ... Full text Link to item CiteParent Perspectives on the 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline for Pediatric Obesity: A Mixed-Methods Study of Acceptance and Concerns.
Journal Article Pediatr Obes · January 2026 BACKGROUND: The 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline for pediatric obesity recommends immediate, intensive treatment, including behavioral therapy, medications, and surgery when indicated. Understanding parental agreement with the guideline is critical for suc ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Real world use of anti-obesity medications to treat adolescent obesity: moving beyond the clinical trial
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2029Implementing evidence-based obesity treatment for adolescents in primary care: an EHR-integrated implementation toolkit for diabetes prevention
ResearchMentor · Awarded by American Diabetes Association · 2025 - 2028Supporting Safe and Effective GLP-1 Prescribing in Pediatric Primary Care
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by American Heart Association · 2025 - 2028View All Grants