Gillian A. Franklin MD, PhD, MPH, MS

Gillian Franklin

Gillian A. Franklin
MD, PhD, MPH, MS

Assistant Professor

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Specialty/Research Focus

Anatomic Pathology; Biomedical Informatics; Clinical Informatics; 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
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Overview Research Publications Activities Latest News

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 a combination of population and public health (environmental health), public health informatics, personal health informatics, and social epidemiology. She addresses the socio-structural factors, including the environmental and non-medical 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 ultimate goal is to protect and improve the health and conditions of life in the Buffalo area, the nation and world.

Dr. Franklin's current research as a public health informatician (social epidemiologist) in Community Health Informatics and Personal Health Informatics, focuses on addressing how individuals use digital tools and data to monitor, manage, and improve their own health and the impact of health care disparities (e.g., health literacy and digital literacy) in populations that have been disproportionately affected by inequities. 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 and community conversations (focus groups), to address these populations to better manage their lagging compliance with various public health interventions including vaccines. Dr. Franklin's 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 and digital 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. Her ultimate goal is to work collaboratively to create solutions for healthier communities through community-cantered, 'glocal' translational education, research and service.

Dr. Franklin's previous work includes the following selected highlights: As a pathology resident, at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center, she identified latent leishmaniasis in a rheumatoid arthritis patient who was on anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy, through histopathologic evaluation that had been missed clinically, she was subsequently recognized with an award after presentation at a major national conference. 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 as it relates to asthma, 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 K-12, undergraduate, graduate, and medical education as it relates to the social dimensions of asynchronous learning and various learning styles. She is passionate about helping students understand how laboratory science, environmental research, and data analytics intersect to improve community and population health.

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:
  • 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:

See all (3 more)

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, NevadaUnited States (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, TexasUnited States (Mar) 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, MarylandUnited States (Apr), (415) 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, 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, TexasUnited States (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 Machine Learning Approach to Improve Cardiovascular Disease Prediction by Augmenting the Framingham Risk Score" 2025 AIM-AHEAD Annual Meeting, Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Research Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) a NIH Program (2025)
  • "A Machine Learning Approach to Reduce Disparities in Compliance with Public Health Interventions" National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS): Program Director, Dr. Jennie L. Conroy (2024)
  • "A Machine Learning Approach to Reduce Disparities in Compliance with Public Health Interventions-Phase I Vaccine Hesitancy Themes: New Public Health Informatics Interventions for Old Phenomenon" Translational Science 2024 (TS24) at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino - The Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) (2024)

Service Activities:
  • Interacting with students from all the health professions schools by facilitating small group discussion, where students develop an interprofessional plan of care and identify strategies to strengthen community and health system challenges.; Faculty Facilitator, Interprofessional Forum (IPF) (2026)
  • Journal Reviewer; Serving as a peer reviewer, providing rigorous and timely manuscript evaluations with constructive feedback.; Associate Editor - Applied Clinical Informatics Journal (2026–present)
  • Interacting with students from all the health professions schools by facilitating small group discussion, where students develop an interprofessional plan of care and identify strategies to strengthen community and health system challenges. Topic: Confronting Social Determinants of Health: An Interprofessional Strategy.; Faculty Facilitator, Interprofessional Forum (IPF) (2025)
  • Instructor for BMS 198 - Current Events in Biomedical Sciences; Course Instructor (2025)
  • Serve in the role of weekly facilitator by guiding small-groups of first and second-year student-lead medical education sessions for the Well Beyond curriculum program, assisting medical students with moving away from rote memorization to building knowledge by utilizing science in everyday life with real-life patient scenarios to strengthen teamwork, collaboration, clinical reasoning, and self-directed learning skills.; Faculty Facilitator: Case-Based Inquiry Learning (CBIL), Medical Students (M1 & M2) (2025–present)
  • In this short-term education program, I mentored a student from the Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2027, who is a B.A. Candidate in Public Health | Pre-Medical Track. I played a key role in supporting my student’s academic and professional development, by providing guidance on research activities, assistance with developing critical thinking, guidance on problem-solving skills, and other advice on academic pathways and career opportunities. I facilitated learning by meeting regularly with my student and providing feedback on projects and encouraged engagement activities in the BRIGHT program activities.; Faculty Mentor - Biomedical Informatics (BMI), Buffalo Research Innovation in Genomics and Healthcare Technology (BRIGHT) R25 Short-Term Education and Training Program (2025)
  • Contributed to evaluating the fellows’ performance and professional development within the department by reviewing the fellows’ academic progress, professional contributions, and professional conduct. Provided recommendations related to promotion within the department.; Faculty Committee Member - Clinical Informatics Fellows’ Review and Promotions (2025)
  • Faculty participate in regular meetings with the university leadership, including the provost, president and dean. I participated in our departmental leadership meetings with the University President, Provost, and Dean to discuss academic priorities, institutional initiatives, and issues related to research/funding, teaching, and student success. This meeting provided an opportunity for faculty to contribute to the shared governance and offer input on strategic decisions that affect the department, institution and the academic community.; Faculty Participant - Leadership Meeting (2025)
  • Interacting with students from all the health professions schools by facilitating small group discussion, where students develop an interprofessional plan of care and identify strategies to strengthen community and health system challenges. Topic: Interprofessional Care for People with Chronic Health Conditions.; Faculty Facilitator, Interprofessional Forum (IPF) (2025)
  • Interacting with students from all the health professions schools by facilitating small group discussion, where students develop an interprofessional plan of care and identify strategies to strengthen community and health system challenges. Topic: Confronting Social Determinants of Health: An Interprofessional Strategy; Faculty Facilitator, Interprofessional Forum (IPF) (2024)
  • Interacting with students from all the health professions schools by facilitating small group discussion, where students develop an interprofessional plan of care and identify strategies to strengthen community and health system challenges. Topic: Confronting Social Determinants of Health: An Interprofessional Strategy.; Faculty Facilitator, Interprofessional Forum (IPF) (2024)
  • In this short-term education program, I mentored two University at Buffalo (UB) students one undergraduate (Biomedical Informatics) and one graduate student (Data Sciences). Both students now attend UB in the Data Science graduate programs as MS and PhD students, respectively. I also mentored a high school student in the BRIGHT program, who shadowed the two graduate students. The high school student now attends Cornell University. During this summer program, I played a key role in supporting the students’ academic and professional development, by providing guidance on research activities, assistance with developing critical thinking, guidance on problem-solving skills, and other advice on academic pathways and career opportunities. I facilitated learning by meeting regularly with my student and providing feedback on projects and encouraged engagement activities in the BRIGHT program activities.; Faculty Mentor - Biomedical Informatics (BMI), Buffalo Research Innovation in Genomics and Healthcare Technology (BRIGHT) R25 Short-Term Education and Training Program (2024)
  • Youth Development (High School Student); Mentor (2024)
  • Faculty interviewer for PPBS graduate admissions, conducting applicant interviews and completing evaluation rubrics with feedback.; Faculty Interviewer - PPBS Graduate Program (2024)
  • As a member of the faculty search committee, I contributed to the recruitment and selection of qualified candidates for a faculty position in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at UB. My responsibilities included reviewing application materials, participating in candidate evaluations, and attending committee meetings. I also participated in candidate interviews and provided constructive feedback during the committee’s deliberation process.; Faculty Search Committee Member (2023–2024)
  • In this short-term education program, I mentored a sophomore student from Buffalo State University, majoring in Biology and Philosophy. This student is now applying for graduate programs in bioethics beginning Fall 2026. I played a key role in supporting my student’s academic and professional development, by providing guidance on research activities, assistance with developing critical thinking, guidance on problem-solving skills, and other advice on academic pathways and career opportunities. I facilitated learning by meeting regularly with my student and providing feedback on projects and encouraged engagement activities in the BRIGHT program activities.; Faculty Mentor - Biomedical Informatics (BMI), Buffalo Research Innovation in Genomics and Healthcare Technology (BRIGHT) R25 Short-Term Education and Training Program (2023)
  • I contributed to departmental postdoctoral recruitment and selection process, by reviewing candidate applications, conducting interviews, and providing recommendations of qualified candidates for the postdoctoral positions within the Biomedical Informatics Department. Through this role, I supported the identification of candidates whose research interests and expertise aligned with the department’s academic and research priorities to facilitate a rigorous candidate evaluation process to support informed hiring decisions.; Postdoctoral Fellow Search Committee Member (2022–2023)
  • I served on the Clinical Informatics Fellow Search Committee, contributing to the recruitment and selection of qualified candidates for the department’s clinical informatics fellowship program. I contributed to reviewing application materials, evaluating candidates’ clinical and academic qualifications, participating in committee discussions, and assisting with the interview process. Through this role, I supported efforts to identify candidates who demonstrate strong clinical skills and academic potential through their scholarly work.; Clinical Informatics Fellow Search Committee Member (2022–2025)
  • Applied Clinical Informatics Journal: Served as a peer reviewer, providing rigorous and timely manuscript evaluations with constructive feedback.; Associate Editor - Student & Early Career Editorial Board (2022–2024)
  • Applied Clinical Informatics Journal: Served as a peer reviewer, providing rigorous and timely manuscript evaluations with constructive feedback on the following article: “Patient and Family Perceptions of Real-Time Access to Electronic Health Information: A Social Media Survey.”; Associate Editor - Student & Early Career Editorial Board
  • Applied Clinical Informatics Journal: Served as a peer reviewer, providing rigorous and timely manuscript evaluations with constructive feedback on the following article: “A Methodological Approach for Assessing Subjectivity for the Adoption and Use of New Technology in Clinical Settings.”; Associate Editor - Student & Early Career Editorial Board
  • Applied Clinical Informatics Journal: Served as a peer reviewer, providing rigorous and timely manuscript evaluations with constructive feedback on the following article: “Leveraging Novel Clinical Decision Support to Improve Preferred Language Documentation in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”; Associate Editor - Student & Early Career Editorial Board
  • Applied Clinical Informatics Journal: Served as a peer reviewer, providing rigorous and timely manuscript evaluations with constructive feedback on the following article: “Designing and Testing Clinical Simulations for an Early Warning System Application Implementation in Healthcare Systems.”; Associate Editor - Student & Early Career Editorial Board
  • Applied Clinical Informatics Journal: Served as a peer reviewer, providing rigorous and timely manuscript evaluations with constructive feedback on the following article: “Into the unknown: What happens to key performance indicators when we shift a hospital to virtual delivery.”; Associate Editor - Student & Early Career Editorial Board
  • Applied Clinical Informatics Journal: Served as a peer reviewer, providing rigorous and timely manuscript evaluations with constructive feedback on the following article: “Association between medical specialties and diagnosis on telemedicine use.”; Associate Editor - Student & Early Career Editorial Board

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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
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