Newark, New Brunswick, & Blackwood, NJ
Assistant Professor
Division of Nursing Science
New Brunswick
110PAT, Room 315
(848) 932-5705
Specialty: Dr. Powell-Roach's explores how we understand and address acute and chronic pain. Sickle cell disease.
Dr. Keesha Powell-Roach, PhD, RN, is a dedicated researcher whose work centers on the complexities of pain in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Her interdisciplinary work integrates genomic, proteomic, psychological, and environmental data to uncover the mechanisms underlying pain and its broader impact on organ systems and quality of life.
Dr. Powell-Roach investigates both acute and chronic pain experiences across diverse populations, including those in rural and urban settings, with a particular focus on inflammation and neurocognitive dysfunction. Her work emphasizes the importance of personalized, culturally sensitive approaches that address the unique needs of individuals living with SCD.
Through a combination of rigorous scientific inquiry and meaningful community engagement, Dr. Powell-Roach is committed to reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for people with SCD. Her ultimate goal is to develop and implement interventions that are both targeted and responsive to the lived experiences of this historically underserved population.
Education & Training
Recent Research Activities/Funded Projects
Powell-Roach, K., Simpson, U., Xavier, R.M., Singh, T., Okusaga, O., Aoyagi, K., Rinker, D., Robles Granda, P.D. The All of Us Evenings with Genetics Research Program. “Prevalence and Determinants of Mental Health Disorders in Individuals with Chronic Pain”. Collaboration/Sustainability SEED Award. 11/24/2024 – 11/25/2025, $3000.00 Role: Co-Investigator
Day, S. (PI), Roach, K.L. (Co-I), Eliminating Health Disparities for Persons with Sickle Cell Disease Residing in the Delta: An Education and Awareness Program for Health Care Providers, 48-047-838948114 U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 10/2023 – 9/2025 $364,502 Role: Co-Investigator
Roach, K.L. (PI), Wilkie, D. J., (primary mentor), Wallace, M., (co-mentor), Cruz-Almeida, Y., (co-mentor), The Association of an AVPR1A SNP with Pain and Psychosocial Variables, 2L30HL148972-03 Loan Repayment Program, NIH-NHLBI: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2025, $55,691.94 Role: Principle Investigator
Wilkie, D. J. (MPI, contact), Yao, Y. (MPI), Kalyanaraman, S. (MPI), Gallo, A. (Co-I), Ezenwa, M.O. (Co-I), & Black, L. A. (Co-I), Roach, K. (Co-I), Dyal, B. (Co-I), & DeBaun, M. (Consultant) CHOICES for Sickle Cell Reproductive Health: RCT of a Preconception Intervention Model for a Single Gene Disorder, R01HG011927-01, NIH-NHGRI, submitted 10/17/2020. Awarded 8/17/2021. 09/01/2021 – 6/1/2025, $3,049,950 Role: Co-Investigator
Roach, K.L. (PI), Wilkie, D. J., (primary mentor), Wallace, M., (co-mentor), Cruz-Almeida, Y., (co-mentor), Carpten, J., (advisor), Chamala, S., (advisor), Yao, Y., (advisor), Mandernach, M., (advisor). Contribution of Biopsychosocial factors in Sickle Cell Disease Pain, 1K01HL153210-01, NIH-NHLBI, Awarded 7/15/2020. 7/15/2020 – 6/30/2024, $537,367 Role: Principle Investigator
Recent Publications
Powell-Roach, K. L., Yao, Y., Cao, X., Chamala, S., Wallace, M. R., Cruz-Almeida, Y., Molokie, R. E., Wang, Z. J., and Wilkie, D. J. (2023). Analysis of AVPR1A, thermal and pressure pain thresholds, and stress in sickle cell disease. Frontiers in Pain Research, 3, DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.1060245; PMID: 36688082; PMC9845903
Powell-Roach KL, Yao Y, Wallace MR,Chamala. S., Cruz-Almeida, Y., Jhun, E., Molokie, R. E., Wang, Z. J., Wilkie, D. J.,
HUMAN STUDY COMT and DRD3 haplotype-associated pain intensity and acute care utilization in adult sickle cell disease. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood). DOI:10.1177/15353702221080716; PMID: 35285297; PMC9554168
*Featured article in Experimental Biology and Medicine
Gehling, G. M., Powell-Roach, K., Wilkie, D. J., & Dungan, J. R. (2023) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Sickle Cell Disease-Related Pain: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Pain Research, 4. DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1223309
Johnson, A., Amonoo, L., Lofton, S., Powell-Roach, K. L. (2024). How Masculinity Impedes African American Men From Seeking Mental Health Treatment. American journal of men’s health, 18(5), 15579883241278846. DOI:10.1177/15579883241278846.