Gillian A. Franklin M.D., Ph.D., MPH, MS

Gillian Franklin

Gillian A. Franklin
M.D., Ph.D., MPH, MS

Assistant Professor

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Anatomic Pathology; Dermatopathology - Dermatology; Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Health Disparities Research; Public Health; Public Health Informatics; Social Determinants of Health; Translational Research

Contact Information
UB Downtown Gateway
77 Goodell Street, Suite 540
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716 888 4858
Fax: 716 887 3981
gfrankli@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Gillian Franklin, MD, PhD, MPH, MS, joined the Department of Biomedical Informatics (BMI), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY (UB), as an assistant professor of health sciences in July 2022. Dr. Franklin is a current recipient of the UB Clinical and Translational Science Diversity Supplement, which is linked to the KL2 Mentored Career Development Award through the NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

Dr. Franklin completed her Clinical Informatics fellowship, Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics, and an advanced certificate in College Teaching at UB.

As a trained anatomic pathologist, dermatopathologist, informatician, and public health professional, Dr. Franklin's work focuses on population and public health, public health informatics, and social epidemiology. She addresses the socio-structural factors, including the environmental and social determinants of health, that influence health equity and health outcomes. Her work includes evidence-based initiatives to address health disparities and strengthen the community's capacity for prevention.

Dr. Franklin's current research as a public health informatician (social epidemiologist) in Community Health Informatics, focuses on addressing health and health care disparities in populations that have been disproportionately affected by inequities, where she applies clinical/health-related data and health informatics, through the use of electronic health records, data science, data analytics, and the results from semi-structured health surveys, to address these populations to better manage their lagging compliance with various public health interventions including vaccines. Her work includes partnering with the community, including with community leaders, to tease out and attempt to better understand some of the systemic barriers and other reasons behind vaccine hesitancy and to promote the use of fact-based health information to improve health literacy. Through this research, Dr. Franklin's hope is to inspire those who encounter health and health care disparities to become more open to following through with health/public health interventions.

Dr. Franklin's previous work includes the following: At the University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health (UNTHSC-SPH); A sun awareness pilot project in babies and children, the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, Healthy Community infant mortality collaboration, the use of focus groups to explore neighborhood attitudes toward air quality, and a qualitative and quantitative assessment of isocyanates in medical devices and products as potential sources of skin exposure in neonates. After obtaining her MPH, Dr. Franklin worked at Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, where her research focused on immunohistochemical analyses using bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in mice and human skin. Following her Ph.D. training, Dr. Franklin was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she was involved in studying how occupational exposures to arsenic resulted in skin lesions in a Bangladeshi cohort. Additionally, Dr. Franklin was involved with the Region 10 Health Partnership (RHP) for the Texas 1115 Medicaid Waiver as the Learning Collaborative Coordinator at the John Peter Smith Health Network, Fort Worth, Texas.

Dr. Franklin has worked with and mentored undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, research scientists, laboratory, and clinical residents. Her additional interests include undergraduate, graduate, and medical education as it relates to the social dimensions of asynchronous learning and various learning styles.

Dr. Franklin challenges the next generation of students to invest in ongoing work that promotes primary prevention and health equity and addresses the environmental and social determinants of health in diverse populations.

Education and Training:

  • Certificate, College Teaching, Advanced Certificate (AC), University at Buffalo (2022)
  • Fellowship, Clinical Informatics, University at Buffalo (2022)
  • MS, Biomedical Informatics, University at Buffalo (2022)
  • Certificate, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, TekDiligence Inc. (2019)
  • Certificate, From Harvard Square to the Oval Office, A non-partisan Political Campaign Practicum of the Women and Public Policy Program, Harvard Kennedy School of Government (2016)
  • Fellowship, Yerby Research Fellow, Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2016)
  • PhD, Public Health Sciences (Environmental Health), University of North Texas Health Science Center (2014)
  • Fellowship, Postdoctoral Scientist, Dermatology, Columbia University (2004)
  • Fellowship, Postdoctoral Scholar, Dermatology, Columbia University Medical Center (2003)
  • MPH, Public Health (Health Management and Policy), University of North Texas Health Science Center (2002)
  • Fellowship, Dermatopathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center (1998)
  • Residency, Pathology, Mount Sinai Morningside (formerly St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital) (1997)
  • Residency, Radiation Oncology, Beth Israel Medical Center (1996)
  • Internship, Transitional Year, New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens (1994)
  • Residency, Pathology, Northwell Health System (formerly, Northshore University Hospital) (1993)
  • MD, Medicine, Albany Medical College (1991)
  • BS, Major: Psychology (Minor: Health & Society - Medical Ethics), Stony Brook University (1983)

Employment:

  • Assistant Professor, Health Sciences, Biomedical Informatics, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2022-present)
  • Clinical Effectiveness & Integration Specialist (Consultant), Quality Management, John Peter Smith Health System (2014)
  • Clinical Effectiveness & Integration Specialist, Quality Management, John Peter Smith Health System (2013–2014)
  • Graduate Assistant, University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health (Environmental Health) (2011–2014)
  • Research Assistant, University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health (Center for Community Health) (2010–2011)
  • Administrative Intern, Medical Service Research and Development Plan (MSRDP), University at North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (MSRDP) (2000)

Awards and Honors:

  • Diversity Supplement, CTSI, NoA: 3UL1TR001412-08S3 PI: Timothy Murphy: U.S. DHHS, National Center for Advancing Translational Science (2023)
  • National Research Service Award (2014)
  • Dean’s Award for Scholarly Excellence in Academic Achievement (2014)
  • Delta Omega Honor Society in Public Health (2014)
  • President’s Award for Scholarly Excellence with an Emphasis on Academics (2014)
  • Young Clinical Scientist Award (2008)
  • National Research Service Award (2003)
  • Outstanding Student, Department of Health Management & Policy (2002)
  • Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (2002)
  • The Outstanding Student of the Year (2001)

Research Expertise:

  • Pathology and Dermatopathology Informatics Research: My interests are in digital pathology, image analysis and quantitative slide analysis. Specifically, the role of digital platforms and remote learning as an avenue to improve pathology resident training and performance. Additionally, using the technology in a digital prognostic pathology workflow in translational research.
  • Population and Public Health Informatics: I am particularly interested in using data science tools and analytic techniques, to promote a better understanding of the data from my social epidemiology and, population and public health work, to leverage and address health equity, by focusing on the environmental and social determinants of health (ESDOH). During my early career as a physician, public health professional and researcher, I have witnessed the damaging effects of chronic illness and stress on patients and their families, especially among those who have less equitable access to health care. My research interests include facilitating conversations at community and organizational levels that includes supportive environments for establishing effective health policies that address the environmental and social determinants of health. I am specifically interested in how the culture of an organization may facilitate or foil, the adoption, adaption, implementation, and institutionalization of programs that build individuals’ personal skills and confidence by addressing the ESDOH.
  • Social Epidemiology: My work focuses on health equity and health disparities, looking at how factors such as low health literacy may influence or affect an individual's decision to engage or not engage in following given public health interventions such as vaccines, wearing a mask, health maintenance follow-up (screenings, early intervention, risk assessment), hand-washing, and social distancing.

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:

  • Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
  • Information and Computing Technology

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • June 2001–May 2002
    A Sun Awareness Pilot Project
    American Cancer Society
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,000
  • March 2023
    A Machine Learning Approach to Reduce Disparities in Compliance with Public Health Interventions
    NIH, Center for Advancing Translational Science
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $236,209

Journal Articles:

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Krayenbuehl BH, Cockerell CJ, Franklin G, and Valek RH. (2000) Vascular neoplasms. In: Vascular neoplasms. In Atlas of Cancer of the Skin. Churchill Livingstone, 68-85.

Abstracts:

  • Franklin G, Elkin PL, Rahman S, Benson B, Brooks X, Morse G. (2024) A Machine Learning Approach to Reduce Disparities in Compliance with Public Health Interventions. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, Translational Science 2024. Las Vegas, Nevada (Apr) 64-64, (211) Poster
  • Allsopp L, Franklin G, Adame D, and Sterling D. (2014) The use of focus groups to explore neighborhood attitudes toward air quality. The 22nd Annual Research Appreciation Day (RAD): University of North Texas Health Science Center. Fort Worth, Texas (Mar) Poster
  • Liu Y, Harari H, Bello B, Biswas S, Franklin G, Raynaud S, Nedrelow J, Ahsan S, Sterling D. (2013) Quantifying Isocyanates from Medical Devices and Products: A Pilot Study. International Conference, Isocyanates and Health: Past, Present and Future. Potomac, Maryland (Apr), (414) Poster
  • Franklin G, Ahsan S, Raynaud S, Nedrelow J, Sterling D, Biswas S, Bello D, Liu Y. (2013) Medical Devices and Products as Potential Sources of Isocyanate Skin Exposure in Neonatal Infants: A Qualitative Assessment. The International Conference, Isocyanates and Health: Past, Present and Future. Potomac, Maryland (Apr), (415) Poster
  • Franklin G, Greenspan J, and Chen S. (2008) Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis provokes latent leishmaniasis infection. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science, (Jun), (25)
  • Franklin G. and Morris, RJ. (2004) Immunohistochemical Analysis of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins in Human Skin. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, (Mar) A108, (648)
  • Franklin G, Coggin C, Mains D, and Lykens KA. (2003) A Sun Awareness Pilot project. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, (Jul), (419)
  • Franklin GA. (2002) A sun awareness pilot project. University North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Research Appreciation Day. Fort Worth, Texas (Jun) Oral

Evaluative Studies and Case Reports:


Professional Memberships:

  • American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA); Informatics (2019–present)
  • American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) (2017–2019)
  • National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) (2014–present)
  • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Postdoctoral Association (2014–2016)
  • Global Health Council (GHC) (2014–2015)
  • American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) (2013–2014)
  • Association of Pathology Informatics (API) (2011–present)
  • American Medical Association (AMA) (2002–present)
  • American Public Health Association (APHA) (2001–present)

Presentations:

  • "A Sun Awareness Pilot Project, an American Cancer Society & Cook Children’s Physician Network Collaboration" University of North Texas Health Science Center-School of Public Health, Research Appreciation Day
  • "Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis provokes latent leishmaniasis infection" 128th Meeting; Association of Clinical Scientists
  • "Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis provokes latent leishmaniasis infection" 2008 Residents’ Research Night, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Montefiore Medical Center, Department of Pathology

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Contact Information

UB Downtown Gateway
77 Goodell Street, Suite 540
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716 888 4858
Fax: 716 887 3981
gfrankli@buffalo.edu