University of New Mexico
Department of Communication & Journalism
UNM Lobo  
Tamar Ginossar, Ph.D.
 Ph.D., University of New Mexico, 2003
 Office: Room 216
 tginossar@salud.unm.edu

Assistant Professor 
Journalism 
Communication 

Research:

My research focuses on health communication and reducing health disparities. I am interested in how communities and individuals are using new communication technologies for information exchange and advocacy; how they seek and share information, and on designing interventions using community-based research approach to reduce health disparities.

Sample Funded Research:

  • Ginossar (PI).
    Entertainment Education Approach to Reducing Disparities in early Childhood Development and Behavioral Health.
    The goal of the study is to create a pilot intervention to increase parental and care takers' knowledge of early childhood development and behavior.
    Funded by the "Community Engagement Award" of the University of New Mexico Clinical and Translational Sciences Center." ($20,000) 04/01/2011-03/31/2011.

  • Ginossar (PI).
    Investigating Cancer Prevention Information Behavior of Family Members of Hispanics Diagnosed with Cancer.
    The goal of the study is to explore cancer prevention information behavior of Hispanics with a family member diagnosed with cancer.
    Funded by the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS-IRG) ($30,000). 10/01/2010-09/30/2011

  • Ginossar (PI).
    Promoting Childhood Development Knowledge in Hispanic Community.
    The goal of the study is to examine perceptions and provide a short educational intervention to increase the knowledge of parents in Hispanic community about childhood development and mental health.
    Funded by La Tierra Sagrada Association ($19,812), 10/01/2010-09/30/2011.

  • Verschraegen/Royce (PI). ARRA - (NM Minority Based Community Clinical Oncology Program).
    Research Supplement to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers: Increasing minority participation in Cancer Clinical Trials.
    I received this supplemental grant to New Mexico Minority-Based Community Clinical Oncology Program at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center. The goal of the study I am conducting is to examine perceptions of university and of community oncologists of barriers and facilitators in recruitment of minority cancer patients to clinical trials.
    Funded by NCI ($317,000) 12/23/2009-09/30/2012.

  • Ginossar (PI).
    Reducing Disparities in Childhood Development and Behavioral Health.
    The goal of the study is to explore parental and care takers' information needs regarding childhood development and behavioral health in low income urban community.
    Funded by the "Community Engagement Award" of the University of New Mexico Clinical and Translational Sciences Center." ($23,100) 10/01/2010-03/31/2011

Sample Journal Articles:

  • Ginossar, T. & Nelson, S., (2010). La Comunidad Habla: Using Internet Community-Based Information Interventions to Increase Empowerment and Access to Health Care of Low-Income Latino/a Immigrants. Communication Education,59,3, 328 - 343.

  • Ginossar, T. & Nelson, S., (2010). Reducing the Health and Digital Divides: A Model for Using Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to E-Health Interventions in Low-Income Hispanic Communities, Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 530-551 (lead article).

  • Ginossar, T., Larkey, L. K., Howe, N. & Goel, N. Coping with Women's Cancer: Type of Cancer, Coping Styles, and Perceived Importance of Information and Emotional Support from Physicians and from Nurses. Under revision, Health Communication.

  • Ginossar, T., De-Vargas, F., Sanchez, C., & Oetzel, J.G. (2010) "That Word, Cancer:" Breast Care Behavior of Hispanic Women in New Mexico. Health Care for Women International 31(1):68-87.

  • Ginossar, T. (2008). Online Participation: A Content Analysis of Differences in Utilization of Two Online Cancer Communities by Men and Women, Patients and Family Members. Health Communication, 23:1, 1 - 12 (lead article).

  • Oetzel, J.G, De-Vargas, F., Ginossar, T., & Sanchez, C. (2007). Hispanic Women's Preferences for Breast Health Information, Health Communication, 21:3, 223-233. *The second authors are in alphabetical order.

Book Chapters:

  • Ginossar, T. Bridging the health and digital divide in a low Income Hispanic community: Using community-based participatory research to advance communities' well-being. In: M. Brann (Ed.). Contemporary case studies in health communication: Theoretical and applied approaches. Kendal Hunt.

  • Ginossar, T. Media Globalization and "The Secondary Flow": Consumption of Telenovelas in Israel. In: D. I. Rios & M. Castaneda (Eds.). Soap Operas and Telenovelas in the Digital Age: Global Industries, Hybrid Content, and New Audiences (in press).

  • Ginossar, T. Content, Participants, and Dynamics in Online Discussion in a Lung Internet Cancer Support Group: A Case Study (2010). In: L. Shedletsky & J. E. Aitken (Eds). Cases on Online Discussion and Interaction: Experiences and Outcomes. IGI Global.

  • Ginossar, T. The Role of Stigma, Smoking, and the Tobacco Industry in Communication in Lung Internet Cancer Support Group. Accepted for publication in K. L. Walker, S. L. Esrock, & J. L. Hart (Eds.) Talking Tobacco: Interpersonal, Organizational, and Mediated Messages. Peter Lang Publishing.

  • Ginossar, T. & Nelson, S. Promoting women leadership as a strategy for reducing health and digital disparities in Latino/a immigrant communities. In: G. L. Kreps & M. Dutta (Eds). Reducing Health Disparities: Working with Communities. Peter Lang (invited chapter, under review).

Methods: Mixed methods, I just don't like to choose.

Teaching Style: I utilize an interactive approach that challenges students. I encourage creativity and provide students with the opportunity to apply concepts and theories in their own work. As in my personal life, I believe that growth happens when we are challenged and have to step out of our comfort zones.

Why UNM?: I love the diversity and the culture. New Mexico is home for me and my family, and I'm excited every day about being here.

Spare Time: Traveling, hiking, and keeping up with my family.

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