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Karishma Chhabria Unrue

Biography

Dr. Karishma Chhabria Unrue is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of West Florida, where she teaches core courses in the MPH program including Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Applied Data Analysis. She is dedicated to creating an engaging, supportive learning environment and mentors students through classroom instruction, applied projects, and hands-on research in the Chhabria Lab. In recognition of her student-centered approach, she received the 2024–25 Usha Kundu, MD, College of Health Department of Public Health Mentorship Excellence Award.

Her research focuses on mental health in vulnerable populations such as cancer patients and perinatal women, using predictive analytics and large-scale data to identify early risks and improve health outcomes. Dr. Chhabria Unrue actively involves students in her research, offering opportunities to gain skills in data analysis, psychometric validation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She was also honored with the 2024–25 Usha Kundu, MD, College of Health Faculty Scholarship and Creative Activities Award, underscoring her commitment to advancing scholarship while preparing students for meaningful careers in public health.

Dr. Chhabria Unrue has authored several peer-reviewed papers in highly regarded journals, is the Principal Investigator on multiple grants and is actively engaged in the dissemination of her research findings through her participation in various international, national, regional and local conferences. She actively involves students in presenting and publishing research, at major conferences including the American Public Health Association, Florida Public Health Association, and the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Through these efforts, she fosters opportunities for students to share their insights, gain professional experience, and contribute to advancing public health.

She received her M.P.H. in Biostatistics and Ph.D. in Public Health– Social and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Florida.  She completed her post-doctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology; Population Sciences. Dr. Chhabria Unrue has multiple years of experience and is a dedicated researcher, has led prospective and retrospective study designs, including working with large datasets. Her long-term goal is to advance early identification and intervention strategies for mental illness in vulnerable populations, ultimately improving health outcomes and enhancing quality of life across the lifespan.

Publications

  • Chhabria K., Selvaraj S, Refuerzo J, Truong C, Cazaban CG. Investigating the association between metabolic syndrome conditions and perinatal mental illness: a national administrative claims study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024;24(1):409. Published 2024 Jun 7. doi:10.1186/s12884-024-06542-8
  • Chhabria K, Bonnen M, Asper J, Carnaby GD. Feasibility and value of salivary cortisol sampling to reflect distress in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation: A proof-of-concept study. Int J Oncol Res. 2022;5(2):043. doi:10.23937/2643-4563/1710043
  • Chhabria K, Ross KM, Sacco SJ, Leahey TM. The Assessment of Supportive Accountability in Adults Seeking Obesity Treatment: Psychometric Validation Study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(7):e17967. Published 2020 Jul 28. doi:10.2196/17967
  • Chhabria K, Kansara S, Badr H, et al. Gastrostomy Utilization by Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients Is Partially Driven by Swallowing Function. Laryngoscope. 2020;130(9):2153-2159. doi:10.1002/lary.28312