Kimberly McBride is excited to build an interdisciplinary public health undergraduate program at Washington State University. As new co-director of the college’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health program, McBride will train the next generation of the public health workforce to respond to the unique needs of communities in Washington and beyond. Prior to joining WSU, McBride, a sex researcher, served as an associate professor in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Toledo from 2021-24 and the Department of Population Health from 2014-20. She also was an assistant professor of public health at Central Washington University from 2012-14 and instructor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University, Bloomington from 2008-12.
What has been your academic path leading up to WSU?
I earned my PhD in health behavior with a minor in human sexuality from Indiana University, Bloomington, School of Public Health in 2006. During my doctoral program, I trained at the Center for Sexual Health Promotion and held fellowships at the Rural Center for AIDs/STD Prevention and the Office for Women’s Affairs. I completed a Ford Foundation funded pre-doctoral and postdoctoral research fellowship at the Kinsey Institute and a National Institutes of Health-funded postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Adolescent Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis. I earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Humboldt State University (2000) and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Sacramento (1997).
What is your area of expertise?
I specialize in the study of sexual and reproductive health.
What drew you into this area?
Like most sexual scientists, I did not begin my educational career thinking I would end up in this field of study. However, I had a unique opportunity to conduct research and complete a clinical practicum at the Kinsey Institute. These experiences made me acutely aware of the sexual health disparities that exist in our society and the profound impact they have on individuals and communities.
What about your research work are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my work that has resulted in changes to policy and practice. I believe it is our responsibility as public health researchers to produce work that improves people’s lives. I am also proud of my work that has challenged stigma associated with sexual behaviors. Stigma never leads to positive health outcomes, so normalizing prevalent but socially taboo behaviors makes it more likely people will feel comfortable seeking health care when they need it.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I haven’t owned a microwave in over 10 years.