What brought you to the UAB School of Public Health?
I worked at Tuskegee University for 14 years. During that time, I maintained a relationship with UAB; specifically, through the Deep South RCMAR.
What is the broad focus of your research?
The economic and social factors linked to healthy (or unhealthy) neighborhoods.
Where did you receive your training and degrees?
UAB Medical Sociology.
What is the most exciting project you are currently working on?
At the Center for the Study of Community Health, we have been busy reinventing built environments in high-blight neighborhoods. We will soon test the impact of these efforts. We hypothesize that by developing the aesthetic and functionality of vacant lots, we can stimulate a strong sense of community that has positive health effects.
What is your favorite self-authored manuscript?
Hannon, L. (2019). How to Empower a Community. In this manuscript, I talk about how to use research dissemination as a form of community empowerment.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of so far in your career?
Tuskegee: Joining with Dr. Clayton Yates at Tuskegee to write a successful proposal to fund the Center for Biomedical Research. Helping to develop the department of Sociology/Psychology.
UAB: Playing a role in developing the core research project for the CSCH renewal.
What is the coolest training or program you've been a part of, or your favorite conference you've attended?
RCMAR investigators conference in Seattle.
What kind of research would you like to be doing that you haven't yet had the opportunity to do?
I would love to develop methods effective in reducing homicides.
If you had the funding to answer any one research question, what would that question be?
How do you build self-determination in individuals when it is not intrinsically present in them?
If you weren't in academia, what would your career be?
Well, since major league baseball did not work out, I would be a stockbroker. I have also toyed with idea of being a forest ranger as well.