09/27/2023

Member Spotlight: Karla Lawson

Tell us about your areas of interest within injury and violence prevention. Why did you decide to pursue a career in this field?

My PhD and post-doctoral fellowship were in cancer biology and cancer prevention.  My true passion in my work was to be able to help people with the science I conducted. I was drawn to injury and violence work after my post-doctoral fellowship and was recruited to build an injury and violence research center within a pediatric hospital trauma department.  I took the opportunity to directly help clinicians and patients and never looked back!  I now focus on a wide variety of topic areas, but am drawn to those connected to crisis in children including child abuse, risky alcohol and drug use in adolescents, and youth suicide.

How long have you been a member of SAVIR?  What has been your favorite part about being involved with SAVIR? 

I have been a member of SAVIR for 10 years or more.  I attended my first SAVIR conference in Atlanta in 2013.  I was immediately impressed with the comradery of the scientists in this field.  Everyone wanted to help others succeed. We all seemed to share common goals of conducting good science, helping people where they live and work, and building each other up.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?

I get great joy out of mentoring students.  Most students are in a vulnerable time in their lives where positive mentoring is helpful to their development as scientists and people.  It sometimes feels like there is not enough time in the day to devote to students, but it is one of my favorite parts of being a scientist and educator.

What do you like to do in your free time?

 I started running about 5 years ago and try to run 4-5 times per week with the goal of racing 5K-1/2 marathon distances throughout the year.  I like to read and travel and I am a girl scout leader.

Karla Lawson, Director of Dell Children's Trauma and Injury Research Center and Associate Professor of Surgery and Perioperative Care at Dell Medical School