Dr. Cook is an Assistant Professor in the departments of Biostatistics and Social and Behavioral Sciences at New York University School of Global Public Health. Dr. Cook’s overarching research focus is to understand how structural- and individual- minority stressors (i.e., violence, discrimination, and hate) contribute to mental health, physical health, and health behaviors across the lifespan and the virtual and physical worlds. Further, she seeks to understand how features of close relationships can exacerbate or buffer the negative effects of minority stress on health. Her work primarily focuses on young adults who are at the intersection of racial/ethnic and sexual orientation minority status. In addition, much of her work examines the links between minority stress (i.e., daily experiences of discrimination) and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (e.g., cardiometabolic health behaviors).

Mariana is a Research Associate at the AHDL. She received her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University. Mariana is primarily interested in ways structural and environmental features impact the health and well-being of those at the intersection of multiple minoritized identities. Particularly, Mariana is interested in exploring the protective (i.e., perceived social support, community connectedness, resilience) and risk (i.e., minority stress) factors that might mitigate or exacerbate violence-related disparities and impacts. Additionally, Mariana is passionate about conducting research that will inform the development of culturally-sensitive prevention and intervention efforts for marginalized communities exposed to violence.

Natalie Green is a PhD student in Social Work at New York University. She previously received her MSW from NYU's Silver School of Social Work and has experience in healthcare consulting, psychiatric social work, and economic research. Her research interests include productive aging, mental health, health disparities and examining the relationship between social factors and biomarkers.

Janice is a first-generation college student in her last year at NYU, studying Global Public Health with a Biology concentration. Her research interests lie in the area of minority health, particularly in the Latinx community. She is particularly interested in the health and wellness of Latinx women and immigrants. In the future, Janice is interested in pursuing minority health research and also aspires to become a doctor.

Erica P. Wood is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in Social and Behavioral Sciences at New York University’s School of Global Public Health. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Health from Columbia University. Her primary areas of research include pathways of risk in resilience in the face of intersectional minority stress among sexual and gender minorities, particularly transgender women of color. She has training in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Her overarching research goal is to improve upon our understanding of health disparities within populations of sexual and gender minorities to promote health and well-being across the life-course.

Emma Risner is a Research Analyst at the AHDL. She is a first-year PhD candidate in Biostatistics at Boston University and has previously earned her Master of Science in Biostatistics at New York University and Bachelors in Mathematics at the University of Florida. Her research interests include clinical trial development and research, survival analysis, and joint modeling. In particular, she is interested in the analysis of recurrent adverse events and their effect on drug safety and efficacy. 

Stephane Labossiere aspires to become a public health researcher in the areas of cardiovascular disease prevention, health disparities, mixed methods, community-participatory research, and public policy.  He has completed internships and research projects with the United Nations, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and for the American Federation for Aging Research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephane conducted many webinars and provided city agency resources to 2000+constituents in New York City.

Stephanie is a sophomore at NYU Arts and Sciences, majoring in Global Public Health with a concentration in Biology. She is interested in learning more about the social determinants on health, particularly among Latino youth. In combination with an interest in healthcare, Stephanie hopes these experiences will shape her outlook on various challenges facing the world.