Dr. Breana Turner is a translational scientist, public health researcher, science communicator, and women’s health advocate whose work sits at the intersection of health equity, community engagement, and accessible science communication. She holds a PhD in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health from Virginia Tech, an MPH in Public Health Education, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®).

Her research centers on Black women’s health and healthcare experiences, with particular attention to the ways identity, culture, and systems of care shape health and well-being. Her doctoral research used Black Feminist Theory and Superwoman Schema to examine Black women’s lived experiences of health, wellness, physical activity, mental health, and healthcare. She is the author of peer-reviewed research on Black women’s health and has presented her work at national conferences including the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs Annual Conference.

Dr. Turner is also the founder of Becoming HealthyHer, a health literacy and women’s health initiative designed to make research understandable, actionable, and accessible while equipping women with the knowledge and tools to advocate for themselves within healthcare settings. Her approach to science communication is grounded in the belief that science is only as relevant as those able to consume it.

Her work in maternal and reproductive health includes serving as a HealthConnect One Birth Equity Fellow and leading and supporting community-engaged maternal health initiatives across Virginia. Her experience spans maternal health programming, program evaluation, health education, workforce development, and the translation of research into practical tools for communities, clinicians, and policymakers. 

A TEDx speaker and nationally recognized science communicator, Dr. Turner uses storytelling to bridge the gap between research and the communities it is intended to serve. Her TEDxWarrenton talk, “Questions Are the Answer: The Science of Communication,” explores curiosity as a tool for improving how we communicate science. She was also named a 2025 Loudoun County Women & Girls Hall of Fame Trailblazer and has been recognized through the Research!America Public Engagement Content Award and the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas: Health Fellowship.