Tyra Gross, PhD, MPH
Xavier University

Dr. Tyra Toston Gross is an Associate Professor of Public Health at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she has worked as a public health instructor, researcher, and mentor since August 2015. She is a native of Baton Rouge, LA and studied Nutrition at LSU and Behavioral & Community Health at LSUHSC where she earned her MPH in 2009. Dr. Gross’ research expertise is in maternal & child health disparities. Prior to joining Xavier, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in reproductive women's health at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Given her interest in maternal & child health, the majority of Dr. Gross' research has focused on the health of reproductive-age women.

In 2021, Dr. Gross received a LA CaTS Center Community Scholar Award, which included formal training and pilot project funds for academic + community partner teams interested in conducting community-engaged research (CEnR) studies. In 2024, thanks to a fellowship from UNC National MCH National Workforce Development Center, she launched the MA CHERE Lab at Xavier- the Maternal and Child Health Equity Research & Engagement Lab. The goal of the lab is to mentor students and build partnerships with the community to advance MCH in Louisiana and beyond.

Research Goals & Impact 

The increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, coupled with the ongoing impacts of climate change, create significant risks for young families, especially in communities in Louisiana already experiencing health disparities. Dr. Gross' research is important because it moves beyond documenting these challenges to working in partnership with the community to proactively identify and implement solutions. She aims to strengthen community preparedness, improve access to essential resources, and empower families to thrive despite these adverse conditions.

Success Spotlight 

Dr. Gross' LA CaTS Community Scholar Project, in collaboration with community partner Principal Investigator Malaika Ludman, MPH, CLC of Birthmark Doula Collective and New Orleans Breastfeeding Center, is titled "Evaluating Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCFE) Support in a Low Breastfeeding Population." This project examined how to best support infant and young child feeding during emergencies (IYCFE) in communities where breastfeeding rates may be lower. Breastfeeding is best even in natural disasters like hurricanes. The work centered on how Birthmark Doula Collective supported families following Hurricane Laura (2020) and Ida (2021). The research has been presented at multiple conferences, including the 2024 March of Dimes Mom and Baby Action Network (MBAN) Summit in Chicago. Findings from this work have also been published in the Journal of Human Lactation in 2024.

• The study likely explores the challenges and needs of families regarding infant feeding during emergencies. One effective strategy to support families is a hotline that can be launched in the wake of emergencies, like hurricanes to ensure parents receive support and information on how to provide adequate nutrition and care to infants and young children. Her work also examines the role of community support, healthcare providers, and emergency response systems in facilitating safe and appropriate feeding practices.

How LA CaTS Helped

"Being a Louisiana native and raising my four children here, I'm deeply invested in the health of our communities and creating a more resilient state. I interned at Pennington during my senior year as a LSU student majoring in Nutrition. Having funding from the LA CaTS Center feels like a full circle moment for me as a professor. LA CaTS support has allowed me to partner with community organizations like Birthmark Doula Collective and the New Orleans Breastfeeding Center, ensuring that our research is community-driven and culturally relevant. This funding has not only advanced my research but has also strengthened the vital networks that support mothers and children in our state.” –Tyra Gross, PhD, MPH

Highlighted Publications & Grants

Dr. Gross and community partner Malaika Ludman now have a three-year grant from SisterSong, called Doulas on the Frontlines, to expand their IYCFE work to include birthworker training and building collaborations with Puerto Rico and the USVI to learn more about emergency preparedness and maternal and child health (MCH).

Selected publication:

Gross TT, Ludman M, Woods Barr A. “A Vulnerable Time To Be a Young Family in an Emergency”: Qualitative Findings From an Exploration of an Emergency Perinatal and Infant Feeding Hotline in Louisiana. Journal of Human Lactation. 2024;40(3):464-474.