My Research Expertise

Digital health equity scholar focused on reducing health disparities among youth of color, especially Black experiences. She uses community-based participatory research to develop informed digital health interventions, employing an egalitarian approach throughout development, testing, and implementation—highlighting mixed-method and social science techniques. While many digital tools share health information, she is particularly intrigued by animation's potential to enhance intervention infrastructure, having effectively engaged diverse audiences since its inception.

Publications and Conferences

    • Wang, Y., Jia D.Y., Wilson, E.L., Kim, S. (2024). When the message surpasses the medium (2D vs. VR): Ethnocultural empathy post-viewing an ethnographic film, Traveling While Black. Will be presented at  the 2024 International Communication Post-Conference Conference.

     

    • Wilson, E., L. (2023). Using participatory animation as a health communication praxis. It will be presented National Communication Association 2023 Conference in Health Communication, National Harbor, Maryland, USA (NCA,2023).

     

    • Wilson, E.L., Brown, S., (2023) Animation effectiveness in digital health interventions: a meta-analysis. International Communication Association in Health Communication, Toronto, Canada. (ICA, 2023)

     

    • Bannon, J., Roszkowska, N., Wang, Y., Wilson, E., Bonett, S., Lazarus, E., Seblework, T., Dowshen, Stevens, R. (2022) From viral to virus: contextual analysis of Twitter messages in 2016. International Communication Association in Health Communication, Paris, France (ICA, 2022)

     

    • Wilson, E., Delgado, J., Hoover, M., & Ainsworth, A.T. (2020, May). Multigroup factor analysis on the perception of ethnic diversity in university academic setting between underrepresented minority (URM) and non-underrepresented minority (NURM) students. Virtual poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL. (APS, 2020)

     

    • Duarte, A., Tovar, K., Wilson, E., Pina, D., Choi, P., Herrera, M., … Ainsworth, A. (2016, May). Effects of the stuttering stigma on first impressions during speed dating. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL (APS, 2016)escription text goes here

    • Wilson, E.L., Brown, S., Miller, L. (2024) Can animation enhance digital health interventions? A meta-analysis investigating animation’s cognitive components for promoting change.  JAMA Network Open (Under Review) 

    • Wilson, E.L., Young, L. (2024). Social-ecological factors associated with the mental health of African American college students. Journal of Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.

    • Wang, Y., Jia D.Y., Wilson, E.L., Kim, S. (2024). When the message surpasses the medium (2D vs. VR): Ethnocultural empathy post-viewing an ethnographic film, Traveling While Black. Media Psychology

    • *Jenkins, H., Brichta M., Kim D., Lanz P., Lee A., Proudfoot S., Shresthova S., DeLano I., Frizzell M., Hegde A., Madebo A., Mischie, I., Persaud C., Pham, B., Randazzo M., Reed K., Reid D., Sørenssen I.K., Steel, J., Nair, M.,  Wilson, E. (2023). What Superbowl advertisements can teach us about the civic imagination. International Council for Media Literacy.

    • Bannon, J., Roszkowska, N., Wang, Y., Wilson, E., Bonett, S., Lazarus, E., Seblework, T., Dowshen, Stevens, R. (2024) From viral to virus: contextual analysis of Twitter messages in 2016. BMC Digital Health.

    • *Delano, I., Glenhaber M., Kim D., Lanz, P., Mischie I., Quick, T., Peterson-Reed, K., Persaud, C., Pham, B., Reddy, Rahul, Rivera, J., Wilson., E., Jenkins, H., Shresthova, S. (2021) Flying cars and bigots: Projecting post-COVID-19 worlds through the atlas of the civic imagination as refuge for hope. Continuum, 1-15.

    • Wilson, E.L. (2020). Social implications of lightboard technology toward student retention on statistical methods. Thesis. California State University, Northridge

    • Fischer, K., Wilson, E.L., Kim, S., Williams, D. (2024). Astro, I’m Home! Investigating Factors that Influence the Acceptance of Home Robots. National Communication Conference for the Computational Science Division. New Orleans, LA (Will be Presented)

    • Wilson, E L., Lodge S., White S., Stevens, R., (2022). A seat at the table: deploying youth participatory action research methods in health communication praxis. International Communication Association in Children, Adolescents and Media, Paris, France.

    • Wilson, E., Choi, P. Reyna, K., Manavi, R., Cano, N., & Ainsworth, A.T. (2019, April). Examining negative attributes towards adults who stutter from non-stuttering individuals. Poster presented at the Western Psychological Association annual meeting, Pasadena, CA (WPA) ,

    • Balian, O., Wilson, E., Choi, P., Morain, K., Gavarrete, A. O., & Ainsworth, A.T. (2019, April). Examining the predictors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence among young adults in Los Angeles. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association. Pasadena, CA. (WPA, 2019).

    • Wang, Y., Jia D.Y., Wilson, E.L., Kim, S. (2024). When the message surpasses the medium (2D vs. VR): Ethnocultural empathy post-viewing an ethnographic film, Traveling While Black. Presented at the 2024 International Communication Post-Conference Conference. 

    • Wilson, E., L. (2023). Using Participatory Animation as a Health Communication Praxis. Communication Methods (In Preparation)

    • *Lim, N., Leccese, M., & Wilson, E. L. (2024, April). Visionary healing: Exploring Apple Vision’s Pro future role in mental health recovery. . ePoster presentation at the USC Annenberg Graduate Fellowship Research and Creative Project Symposium (USC, 2024).

    • Wilson, E., L. (2023). Using Participatory Animation as a Health Communication Praxis. It will be presented National Communication Association in Health Communication, National Harbor, Maryland, USA (NCA, 2023)

    • Wilson, E.L., Brown, S., (2023) Animation Effectiveness in Digital Health Interventions: A Meta-Analysis. International Communication Association in Health Communication, Toronto, Canada (ICA, 2023).

    • Wilson, E.L. (2023, May). The mental health landscape of African American adolescents with depression and potential digital facilitators Presentation at the USC Annenberg Kaleigh Finney Mental Health Conference, Los Angeles, CA. (USC, 2023) competitively selected among all of USC Annenberg student body

    • Hack, A., & Wilson, E. L. (2023, March). Colorblind casting the regency era and the elusion of slavery. ePoster presentation at the USC Annenberg Graduate Fellowship Research and Creative Project Symposium (USC, 2023). engaged in interdisciplinary research alongside school of Cinematic Arts

    • Wilson, E L., Lodge S., White S., Stevens, R., (2022).A seat at the table: deploying youth participatory action research methods in health communication praxis. International Communication Association in Children, Adolescents, and Media, Paris, France 

    • Bannon, J., Roszkowska, N., Wang, Y., Wilson, E., Bonett, S., Lazarus, E., Seblework, T., Dowshen, Stevens, R. (2021) From viral to virus: contextual analysis of Twitter messages in 2016. International Communication Association in Health Communication, Paris,  France

    • Wilson, E, & Young, L. (2021, September). Personal, interpersonal, organizational, and structural levels factors associated with mental health among African American college students. Conference talk at annual USC ARS, Los Angeles, CA.

    • Wilson, E., Delgado, J., Hoover, M., & Ainsworth, A.T. (2020, May). Multigroup factor analysis on the perception of ethnic diversity in university academic setting between underrepresented minority (URM) and non-underrepresented minority (NURM) students. Virtual poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL (APA, 2020).

    • Wilson, E., Delgado, J., & Ainsworth, A.T. (2020, March) Multi group factor analysis on the perception of ethnic diversity in the university academic setting between underrepresented minority students (URM) and non-underrepresented minority students (NURM). Virtual oral presentation at the annual CSUNposium, Northridge, CA. (CSUN, 2020).

    • Wilson, E., Choi, P. Reyna, K., Manavi, R., Cano, N., & Ainsworth, A.T. (2019, April). Examining negative attributes towards adults who stutter from non-stuttering individuals. Poster presented at the Western Psychological Association annual meeting, Pasadena, CA. (WPA, 2019).

    • Balian, O., Wilson, E., Choi, P., Morain, K., Gavarrete, A. O., & Ainsworth, A.T. (2019, April). Examining the predictors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence among young adults in Los Angeles. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association. Pasadena, CA. (WPA, 2019).

    • Wilson, E., Sigal, M., Ross, B., Morain, K., & Hoover M. (2019, October). The potential impact of mental health and substance abuse centers towards homelessness in Los Angeles: ANOVA and Mediation models. Paper presented at the annual CSUN Data Jam, Northridge, CA. (CSUN, 2019)

    • Cano, N. S., Choi, P., Wilson, E., & Ainsworth, A. T. (2018, December). The absence of gender differences in empathy towards adults who stutter.Poster presented at the annual Psi Chi Research Symposium, CSUN, Northridge, CA. (CSUN, 2018).

    • Wilson, E., Balian, O. A., Choi, P., Gavarrete Olvera, A., & Morain, K. (2018, October). The potential impact of mental health centers towards victims of sexual violence in lower income communities: Mediation models and path analysis. Paper presented at the annual CSUN Data Jam, Northridge, CA. (CSUN, 2018) (Won award for Judge’s Choice)

    • Wilson, E., Venegas C., Cabral, P., Chenault, K., & Montgomery, B. (2017, April). Funny or not? How social context influences reaction to humor in the media. Poster session presented at the annual Psychology Honors Research Symposium, CSUN, Northridge, CA. (CSUN, 2017)

    • Duarte, A., Tovar, K., Wilson, E., Pina, D., Choi, P., Herrera, M., … Ainsworth, A. (2016, May). Effects of the stuttering stigma on first impressions during speed dating. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.  (APS, 2016)

    • Morain, K., Neswald, J., Choi, P., Duarte, A., Pina, D., Wilson, E, & Ainsworth, A. (2016, May). Examining arousal and valence among non-stutterers when exposed to stuttered speech. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL. (APS, 2016).

Research Projects

  • Project: Developing Culturally Targeted Animation for Black Youth

    Role: Primary Investigator

    In a world swirling with the complexities of mental health issues, particularly among Black adolescents, the launch of a pioneering program is both a necessity and a beacon of hope. This initiative aims to tackle the hurdles that hinder access to mental health resources while amplifying the voice and experiences of young Black individuals.

    Project Overview: "Black Jasmine"

    At the heart of this approach lies an innovative animation project titled "Black Jasmine." This isn't just another cartoon—oh no, my friend! This is a vibrant tapestry of stories designed to resonate with the realities faced by underserved youth and young adults.

    Collaborative Creation

    The magic happens when diverse animators and health scholars come together like a quirky jazz band, each member bringing their unique flair to the melody. Through collaboration, we aim to co-design an animation that does more than entertain; it educates, empowers, and fosters dialogue around mental health in the Black community. Imagine characters that reflect shared struggles and triumphs, navigating their journeys while encouraging young viewers to acknowledge their feelings and seek help.

    Impact and Empowerment

    "Black Jasmine" is set to become a vital tool in addressing the mental health crisis among Black youth. By intertwining accessible storytelling with actionable insights, the project aims to dismantle stigmas and build resilience, ensuring that young people see themselves as part of the solution.

    This equity-inclusive initiative is more than a program; it’s a form of resistance. A movement that sparks change, fuels conversations, and ultimately lifts the mental well-being of Black adolescents, one animated frame at a time!

  • Project: Investigating Factors that Predict Acceptance to Social Robots

    Role: Ad Hoc Researcher

    Introduction

    In recent years, the interaction between humans and social robots has seen a significant increase. To effectively gauge human acceptance of these robots, it’s crucial to expand traditional acceptance models to encompass a wider array of variables. This allows for a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing acceptance.

    Expanding Acceptance Models

    Traditional acceptance models, such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), focus on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. To truly grasp human acceptance of social robots, we need to incorporate additional variables such as emotional connection, trust, and social presence.

    1. Emotional Connection: Understanding how emotional engagement affects the acceptance of social robots is vital. Variables like empathy and emotional intelligence should be included.

    2. Trust: Developing trust in robots is paramount. Factors influencing trust, such as reliability and transparency, must be scrutinized.

    3. Social Presence: The degree to which a robot can exhibit social behaviors plays a significant role. Variables like conversational skills and non-verbal cues are essential to explore

  • PI: Dr. Yunwen Wang  

    Role: Ad-Hoc Research

    Project: Investigating Virtual Reality Features Towards Empathy

    Expanding the scholarship surrounding virtual reality to encompass human affect invites an exhilarating plunge into the rich tapestry of Black experiences in digital realms. By scrutinizing various VR modalities, we can peel back the layers of cultural narratives, emotional echoes, and lived realities often brushed aside by conventional academia.

    Picture this: crafting immersive narratives where users can literally step into the experiences of Black individuals—feeling their triumphs, grappling with their challenges, and glimpsing their day-to-day lives. This is not just storytelling; it’s a revolutionary act that cultivates genuine understanding and empathy, transcending the limitations where traditional media might falter.

    Yet, there’s more to this narrative than just empathy. Our exploration must align with the lofty principles of digital social justice. Virtual reality shouldn’t be the latest amusement for the elite few but a vibrant platform that elevates marginalized voices, authentically narrates their journeys, and affirms their truths. By anchoring our scholarly investigations around these lived experiences, we can boldly disrupt the prevailing narratives that often sideline or misinterpret Black lives.

    Channeling resources and creativity into these initiatives could open the floodgates to a more inclusive digital landscape—a VR realm teeming with diverse experiences and perspectives. Let's weave a vivid tapestry that reclaims these virtual spaces, transforming them into platforms of representation, resistance, and resilience.

    It’s high time VR evolves into more than just a tech gimmick; it should metamorphose into a potent instrument for healing, an engaging gateway to education, and a catalyst for genuine social change!

  • PI: May Wang 

    Predoctoral Trainee 

    Project: Hollywood Food Coalition Intervention Strategies

    Engaged in a rigorous three-week training followed by a two-week practicum, I dove headfirst into the world of system dynamics modeling and agent-based modeling. With data science , I crafted inventive intervention strategies for heathy food formation.

    The grand finale? Presenting a cornucopia of sustainable food security practices to the esteemed committee of the Hollywood Food Coalition.

  • PI: Robin Stevens  

    Role: Program Coordinator

    Summer Program Overview: Mental Health and Substance Abuse for Minority Adolescents

    Program Objectives

    The summer program aimed to empower minority adolescents by equipping them with vital insights and skills concerning mental health and substance abuse in their communities. Through hands-on experience in qualitative research methods, participants became active contributors to understanding the challenges faced by youth today.

    Curriculum Highlights

    1. Understanding Mental Health and Substance Abuse

      • Engaged discussions on the definitions, stigma, and impact of mental health and substance abuse.

      • Explored how these issues manifest in minority communities.

    2. Qualitative Research Skills
      Participants learned essential qualitative research techniques:

      • Neighborhood Observations: Participants ventured into their local areas, observing environmental factors affecting youth mental health and substance use.

      • Social Media Observations: Analyzed social platforms to identify trends and sentiments related to mental health discourse among peers.

      • Interviews: Conducted interviews with community members and peers to gather personal insights and stories related to their experiences.

    3. Participatory Research
      Youth participatory qualitative assessment allowed students to take the lead in their research:

      • Collaboratively developed research questions relevant to their communities.

      • Designed and administered surveys and interviews to gather diverse perspectives.

    4. Creating Informative Social Media Content

      • Students transformed their research findings into engaging and educational social media campaigns.

  • PI: Andrew Ainsworth 

    Role: Lab Coordinator

    Project Summaries

    Project #1: Electrocardiogram Experiments to Detect Attitudes towards Individuals Who Stutter

    • Conducted physiological experiments utilizing electrocardiogram (GSR/EMG/EKG) methodologies to assess emotional responses towards individuals who stutter.

    • Employed SPSS and Excel for meticulous data entry, thorough analyses, and rigorous verification processes.

    • Engaged in participant recruitment and survey data gathering to ensure a robust study framework.

    Project #2: Speed Dating Experiment to Understand Social Perceptions towards Individuals Who Stutter

    • Facilitated engaging speed dating experiments involving a large and diverse subject pool to explore social perceptions and attitudes towards stuttering.

    • Led the experimental setup using the Sona cloud-based subject pool system for streamlined participant management.

  • Role: Research Consultant

    Project: Understanding Factors that Contribute to Graduation Retention

    Answered research and statistical questions on the university campus about the study of focus

    Link

  • PI: Debbie Ma  

    Role: Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Project: Understanding Stereotypes in Digital Settings 

    Wrote literature reviews with a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of caffeine! Dived into the sea of current research like a quirky mermaid collecting pearls of knowledge. Utilized Photoshop software to turn graphical analysis into a whimsical art piece, transforming boring data into eye-catching visuals that demand attention. Created surveys on Qualtrics and Mechanical Turk, weaving questions like a spider spinning a web, ensuring that each question catches valuable responses with an artistic flair!