Dr. Bowman holds a Bachelor of Psychology from Eastern Illinois University, and a Master of Arts in Quantitative Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Performance (Health) from Middle Tennessee State University. Her research interests include creating and validating survey tools to assess disease specific health-related quality of life and wellbeing, as well as the measurement and modeling of social inequalities and inequities that contribute to health disparities. Her work combines the rigors of biostatistics and psychometrics to understand the ways in which personal, social, political, economic, and cultural circumstances influence healthcare utilization and the onset or progression of disease.

She works collaboratively with The Mast Cell Disease Society Inc. (TMS) to research and advocate for the needs of patients and their caregivers, resulting in numerous publications and presentations. Her work has been published in high-ranking medical journals such as The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Her research has garnered national and international attention, including invited talks at the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Allergy and Immunology, and the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis in Vienna Austria. Through her collaborative work with TMS her research has been used to educate providers on the needs of patients with mast cell disease, provide a rapid response assessment of how the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting the mast cell disease patient community, and successfully advocate for fast-track drug approvals to address unmet needs. 

In addition to researching in the rare disease space she has worked alongside the Center for Health and Human Services on multiple community and campus-based projects including the delivery of Mental Health First Aid training at MTSU, and has collaborated on over $1.1 million in funded public health research through the CDC, SAMSHA, and Tennessee Department of Health. She frequently involves and mentors students in research projects resulting in numerous award-winning student-led research presentations. In recognition of her dedication to mentoring and advocacy she was awarded the inaugural “Disability Access Champion” by the MTSU Disability and Access Center.

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Select Journal Articles

Jennings, S. V., Finnerty, C. C., Hobart, J. S., Martín-Martínez, M., Sinclair, K. A., Slee, V. M., Agopian, J., Akin, C., Álvarez-Twose, I., Bonadonna, P., Bowman, A. S., Brockow, K., Bumbea, H., de Haro, C., Fok, J. S., Hartmann, K., Hegmann, N., Hermine, O., Kalisiak, M., Katelaris, C. H., … Valent, P. (2022). Mast Cell Diseases in Practice and Research: Issues and Perspectives Raised by Patients and Their Recommendations to the Scientific Community and Beyond. The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 10(8), 2039–2051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2022.06.018    

Jennings, S. V., Slee, V. M., Finnerty, C. C., Hempstead, J. B., & Bowman, A. S. (2021). Symptoms of mast cell activation, The patient perspective. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 000 (2021), 1-3, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2021.07.004

Prairie, T. M., Wrye, B., Bowman, A. S., Weatherby, N. L., & Thareja, G. (2019). Does location of practice or religiosity predict negative physician attitudes or beliefs toward LGB+ individual?. Journal of Religion and Health, 1, 1-11, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00894-8  

Bowman, A. S., Owusu, A., Trueblood, A. B., & Bosumtwi-Sam, C. (2018). Impact of school health management committees on health services delivery in Ghana: A national level assessment. International Journal of Health Planning and Management, 33(3), e821 – e832, DOI:10.1002/hpm.2540

Magazine/Trade Publication

Harvey, M. L., Bowman, A. S., Bates-Fredi, D. (2020). The false narrative of safety for small and mid-size cities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare and Critical Infrastructure (vol. Winter 2020). The American Sociological Association. https://contexts.org/blog/healthcare-and-critical-infrastructure/  

Other Published Work

Owusu, A., Bowman, A. S., Bosumtwi-Sam, C., Prairie, T., Trueblood, A., & Flores, K. (2017). 2015 Global school health policies and practices survey (G-SHPPS): Ghana report basic and secondary schools. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & World Health Organization (WHO), Atlanta GA & Geneva Switzerland.  

Owusu, A., Bowman, A. S., Shires, C., & Bosumtwi-Sam, C. (2017). Ghana Education Services: 2015 Ghana School Health Policies and Practices Survey Fact Sheet. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & World Health Organization (WHO), Atlanta GA & Geneva Switzerland.

Owusu, A., Bowman, A. S., Bosumtwi-Sam, C., Prairie, T., Trueblood, A., & Flores, K. (2017). Predictors and implementation rates of recommended minimum package for school level health services delivery in Ghana. Ghana Education Evidence Summit, Accra Ghana.

Conference Proceedings (See CV)

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Recent Oral Presentations and Invited Talks

Jennings, S., Slee, V., Brillon, N., Bowman, A. S. (PI), (2021) FDA Patient Listening Session: Mastocytosis and supplements," FDA Listening Session: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Washington, DC.

Jennings, S., Slee, V., Finnerty, C., Hempstead, J., Bowman, A. S. (PI), Akin, C. (2020). 18th Annual Meeting of the ECNM, "Major needs and concerns of US patients: Mastocytosis," European Competence Network on Mastocytosis [ECNM], Vienna, Austria. (August 2020).  

Slee, V., Jennings, S., Finnerty, C., Hempstead, J., Bowman, A. S. (PI), Akin, C. (2020). 18th Annual Meeting of the ECNM, "Major needs and concerns of US patients: MCAS and beyond," European Competence Network on Mastocytosis [ECNM], Vienna, Austria. (August 2020).

Bowman, A. S. (2020). Mental health literacy: Improving mental health outcomes by leveraging theory-based assessments, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences Spring 2020 Faculty Research Lunch Series CBHS, MTSU, Murfreesboro, TN.

Bowman, A. S., Haley, C., Jennings, S. V., Slee, V. M., Hempstead, J., Slee, A. M., Castells, M. C., & Akin, C., (2019). Impact of access to specialized care on patient perception of well-being and quality of care in a rare disease population. American Public Health Association [APHA] Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.  

Jennings, S. V., Slee, V. M., Hempstead, J., Slee, A. M., Castells, M, Akin, C., & Bowman, A. (2018). Patient perceptions of mast cell activation syndrome. National Institutes of Health [NIH] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [NAID] Workshop on Mast Cell Disorders, Invited Talk, Bethesda, MD.

Owusu, A., Bowman, A. S., Flores, K, Bosumtwi-Sam, C. (2017). Adoption and implementation of Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation (WASH) policy guidelines among primary and secondary schools in Ghana. American Public Health Association [APHA] Annual Meeting, Atlanta GA.  

Owusu, A. & Bowman, A. S. (2017, March). Predictors and implementation rates: Health services delivery and WASH components among basic and secondary schools in Ghana. Ghana Education Evidence Summit, Accra, Ghana.  

Select Recent Presentations (see CV for complete list)

Jennings, S. V., Finnerty, C. C., Hobart, J. S., Martin-Matinez, M., Sinclair, K. A., Slee, V. M., Agopian, J., Akin, C., Álvarez-Twose, I., Bonadonna, P., Bowman, A. S., Brockow, K., Bumbea, H., de Haro, C., Fok, J.S, Hartmann, K., Hegmann, N., Hermine, O., Kalisiak, M., …Valent, P. (2022).  Mast cell diseases in practice and research: issues and perspectives raised by patients and their recommendations to the scientific community, American Initiative in Mast Cell Diseases (AIM) Investigator Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.

Bowman, A. S., Haley, C., Detomasi, N., Sterlingshires, M., (2020). Effect of access to disease specific specialized care on health related quality of life in a rare disease community, American Public Health Association Annual Meeting [APHA], Virtual.

Owusu, A. A. K., Bowman, A. S., Claypool, R., Bosumtwi-Sam, C., (2020). Predicting adoption of anti-violence and bullying policies among basic and high schools in Ghana, American Public Health Association 2020 Annual Meeting [APHA], Virtual.  

Bowman, A. S., Jones, A., Dickson, P., Wrye, B. (2020). The effect of adverse childhood events and prior experience with sexual misconduct on moral disengagement on a college campus, American Public Health Association 2020 Annual Meeting [APHA], Virtual.  

Bowman, A. S., Owusu, A., Weatherby, N. L. (2020). Application of 2-parameter item response theory to assess construct-theory match in assessment of mental health literacy, American Public Health Association 2020 Annual Meeting [APHA], Virtual.  

Bowman, A. S., Haley, C., Jennings, S. V., Slee, V. M., Hempstead, J. B., Slee, A. M., Castells, M. C., & Akin, C., (2019). Impact of clonal and nonclonal mast cell activation disorders as chronic diseases with mental health components. American Public Health Association [APHA] Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.  

Wrye, B., Dickson, P., & Bowman, A. S. (2019). Exploring the complex relationship between the adverse childhood experience of forced sexual contact and high risk sexual behavior, and their effect on weight status among adolescent girls. American Public Health Association [APHA] Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.  

Jennings, S. V., Slee, V. M., Hempstead, J. B., Slee, A. M., Castells, M. C., Akin, C., Bowman, A. S. (2019) The Mastocytosis Society MCAS and Mastocytosis: Reported diagnosis groups-medications and elevated mediator associations. Inaugural American Initiative in Mast Cell Diseases Investigator Conference, Standord, CA.

Jennings, S. V., Slee, V. M., Hempstead, J. B., Slee, A. M., Castells, M. C., Akin, C., Bowman, A. S. (2019) The Mastocytosis Society MCAS and Mastocytosis: Reported diagnosis groups-medications and elevated mediator associations. The Mastocytosis Society Annual Patient and Caregiver Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Haley, C., Patrick, S., & Bowman, A. S. (2019). Exploring the complexity of the bidirectional relationship between symptoms of mental illness and chronic disease progression in a rare disease population. MTSU Scholars Week, Murfreesboro, TN.  

Jennings, S. V., Slee, V. M., Hempstead, J. B., Slee, A. M., Castells, M. C., Akin, C., Bowman, A. S. (2019) The Mastocytosis Society mast cell activation syndrome patient perception survey. American Academy of Asthma Allergy and Immunology Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.  

Bowman, A. S., Prairie, T. P., Weatherby, N. L., Owusu, A., & Story, C. (2018). Using mental health literacy to predict skepticism toward treatment and stigmatizing attitudes against mental illness. American Public Health Association [APHA] Annual Meeting, San Diego CA.  

Select Presentations and Publications with Students (See CV for complete list)

Harris, S. A. & Bowman, A. S. (2022). Survey of student attitudes and preferences in undergraduate online nutrition and food science courses. Mid-South Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Little Rock, AR.

Marquez, S., Story, C., Aday, R. & Bowman, A. S. (2022). Older U.S. retirees in pursuit of a more equitable healthcare experience in Mexico. APHA’s 2022 Annual Meeting & Expo, Boston, MA.

Chesak, G., Bowman, A. S. (2022) Top 5 Award: An examination of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on postpartum psychiatric outcomes in Tennessee, Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Murfreesboro, TN.

Givens, M. & Bowman, A. S., Stone, K. W. (2022). A hot spot analysis of opioid prescribing and overdose patterns with geospatial distribution of peer recovery programs in Tennessee. Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Murfreesboro, TN.

Light, B. & Bowman, A. S. (2022). An examination of factors related to stigmatizing attitudes towards those with dementia. Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Murfreesboro, TN.

Sanchez, J. & Bowman, A. S. (2022). An examination of health behaviors related to adherence to U.S. Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 guidelines. Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Murfreesboro, TN.

Bogle, D., Marquez, S., Brillon, N., & Bowman, A. S. (2022). Location of previous high school education as a determinant of STI and HIV knowledge and practices among students at a Southeastern University. Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Murfreesboro, TN.

Taylor, M., Brillon, N., & Bowman, A. S. (2021). Top 5 Award: An examination of the impact of COVID19 on psychological well-being among Tennesseans, Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting (TPHA), Virtual. Guinn, T., Marquez, S., Ehuren, P., Brillon, N., & Bowman, A. S. (2021). Top 5 Award: An examination of the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on mental health status, Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting,  (TPHA), Virtual.

Guinn, T., Marquez, S., Ehuren, P., Brillon, N., & Bowman, A. S. (2021). Top 5 Award: An examination of the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on mental health status, Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting,  (TPHA), Virtual.

Detomasi, N., Stone, K. W., Wrye, B. A. E., Owusu, A. A. K., Bowman, A. S. (2020). Examining the relationship between food insecurity and obesity in the United States using a nationally representative sample, American Public Health Association 2020 Annual Meeting [APHA], Virtual.  

Rajvong, W., Owusu, A. O., & Bowman, A. S., Wrye, B. (2019). An examination of Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and associated factors among adults in the United States. American Public Health Association [APHA] Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.  

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Notable Awards of Mentored Students

• Tayia Mitchell
  2nd Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2024, CBHS Graduate Student
• Carolynn Hobbs
  2nd Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2023, CBHS Graduate Student
• Heather Piergies
  3rd Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2023, CBHS Graduate Student
• Gabrielle Chesak
  Top 5 poster award: Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting 2022
• Jennifer Sanchez
  2nd Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2022, CBHS Graduate Student
• Gabrielle Chesak
  3rd Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2022, CBHS Graduate Student
• Macy Taylor
  Top 5 poster award: Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting 2021
• Thomas Guinn
  Top 5 poster award: Tennessee Public Health Association Annual Meeting 2021
• Rebecca Claypool
  3rd Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2021, CBHS Graduate Student
• Nickie Detomasi
  MTSU Scholars Week 2020, CBHS Graduate Student
• Chanell Haley
  1st Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2019, CBHS Graduate Student
• Willie Rajvong
  1st Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2018, CBHS Graduate Student
• Tara Prairie
  3rd Place Award: MTSU Scholoars Week 2018, CBHS Graduate Student
• Miranda Givens
  1st Place Award: MTSU Scholars Week 2016, CBHS Undergraduate Student

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Areas of interest and collaborations:

• Scale development and validation
  • Using rigorous psychometric analyses to construct and validate measures of public health and medical constructs
• Mental health literacy programming as a means of reducing stigma toward mental illness and improving access to early intervention
  • Program evaluation
  • Measurement of mental health literacy (scale development)
  • Collaboration on a major SAMHSA grant to run Mental Health First Aid programming on MTSU campus 
• Health related quality of life (HRQOL) in rare disease populations, specifically Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
  • Factors that influence wellbeing and perception of disease severity
  • Access to quality care and treatment for orphan diseases and impact lack of care has on HRQOL
  • Collaboration with The Mast Cell Disease Society https://tmsforacure.org/
• Measurement of Social Determinants of Health
  • Using advanced statistical modeling to examine the interaction of social determinants such as poverty and race  

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