GWU Biomedical Informatics Center & CTSI-CN: Joint Informatics Seminar Series
"Structural Equation Modeling: What is it and What can we use it For?"
Senait Tekle, PhD, MS | The George Washington University
This seminar will introduce the basic concepts of structural equation modeling (SEM), widely used in the social sciences but has yet to be extensively used in medical research. SEM is a powerful statistical research tool that tests complex path models with latent variables. Since SEM is a broad topic, only the basic tenets will be introduced in this seminar.
Dr. Tekle is pursuing post-doctoral training through the George Washington University (GW) Primary Care Research Program (P-CART). The P-CART program is a federally funded Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award administered by the US Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). She earned her M.S. in International Business Management from the University of Westminster in London before earning her PhD in Prevention Science, an interdisciplinary program from Washington State University. Dr. Tekle has a background in survey/study design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of scientifically-based programs. Her research interests primarily address wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention. Current projects include improving the outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Veterans and the potential benefits of complementary and integrative health (CIH) treatments.