NYU GPH Complex Public Health Disasters Lab

NYU GPH Complex Public Health Disasters Lab

The NYU GPH Complex Public Health Disasters (CPHD) Lab builds upon the momentum of the school’s Disaster Certificate Program and leverages the research of two GPH faculty members who are actively conducting public health disaster studies. The purpose of the Lab is to conduct cutting edge applied research to (1) identify best practices in disaster preparedness and response in essential work sectors, (2) minimize risk in vulnerable populations, including disabled, aged, marginalized and minority populations; and (3) improve our public health disasters preparedness strategies to increase resilience in  essential workers, such as mass transit workers.

The Lab is led by two Disaster researchers and educators: Dr. Robyn Gershon, Clinical Professor of Epidemiology, and Dr. Alexis Merdjanoff, Clinical Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The Lab currently includes  PhD, MPH, and undergrad public health majors who are working on thesis projects, applied practice projects, as well as student interns who are interested in gaining research experience and who are seeking opportunities for publications and presentations. A new NYU GPH Public Health Disaster Journal and a corresponding webpage have recently been launched to provide a platform for students to publish their disaster-related work.