Fall 2024 CEMHD Newsletter
Meet CEHMD's New Health Disparities Fellows
The Presidential Fellowship in Research Training in Health Disparities Program at UAlbany is an exceptional opportunity for students from underserved, underrepresented communities who wish to continue their education and pursue a career that relates to health disparities.
Two new Fellows joined the Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities (CEMHD) program this fall.
Darvensky ‘Marco’ Eugene was born and raised in Haiti. He entered the Fellowship program this Fall as a doctoral student in Department of Environmental Health Sciences under Dr. David Lawrence’s guidance.
Originally, Marco attended college with the goal of going to medical school. However, after his first year, he received an internship through Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program in their summer research program and was introduced to the principle of research.
He started working with Dr. Aynul Bari, in the department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, on an air pollution project. Their work focused on monitoring diverse fine particulate matter in households across the Capital and Hudson Valley Region of New York State. Results from this study benefits the general population by improving their knowledge, increasing their awareness, and inform policy makers of the need to reduce indoor and near-field outdoor air pollution sources.
This task is especially important for people living in underserved neighborhoods; due their socio-economic circumstances, they experience higher levels of pollution than the general U.S. population. These communities, more often than not, have had some of the highest rates of chronic and inspiratory illnesses due to numerous environmental stressors, including air pollution. This experience eventually made Marco realize that he wanted to study the health impacts of pollution can have in underrepresented neighborhoods.
Marco’s current research, along with Dr. David Carpenter, aims to identify the potential oxidative effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are classified as carcinogens, in the human body. He will continue to study not only PCB’s oxidative effects, but other air toxicants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are more prevalent in underserved neighborhoods.
Suzanne Sonpon, a Harlem native, earned a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, and Criminal Justice from the University at Albany in 2020, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. She continued her studies at the University at Albany, completing a Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity in 2021.
With a diverse professional background spanning the drone industry, IT, and pharmaceuticals, Suzanne brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work. Now pursuing a PhD in Information Science and a Graduate Certificate in Health Disparities, she focuses on the intersection of technology and healthcare, aiming to address challenges faced by vulnerable groups such as the elderly, homeless, and immigrants. Her research emphasizes advocacy for communities lacking access to essential resources.
As the eldest of five siblings, Suzanne draws on her life experiences to inform and guide her research. Outside of academia, she enjoys volunteering with her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., spending time with her dog Milo, cooking, and exploring new experiences with loved ones. A fun fact about Suzanne is that she is one of the students displayed on the walls of the ETEC building at UAlbany for her internship with the CEHC Drone Lab!
Symposium on Best Practices in Demographic Data Collection and Utilization
Join us in our mission to promote health equity by learning about the best practices and latest developments in demographic data collection and utilization at the local, state and national levels.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. November 8, 2024
Where: Campus Center, UAlbany's Uptown Campus
A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. There is no registration fee but registration is required.
The symposium is presented by the New York State Department of Health's Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention and the University at Albany's Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities.
Catch Up on Recent CEMHD Events
CEMHD was a cosponsor for the New York Writers Institute's conversation and Q&A with authors Angie Cruz and Lilliam Rivera on October 8, 2024.
CEMHD cosponsored a screening of the documentary Muted: Climate Marginalization in America and a conversation with the filmmaker and five UAlbany researchers on how to address inequities during climate-related disasters on October 18, 2024.
CEMHD cohosted “Amplifying Mental Health Wellness through the Lens of Equity: Technology and Human Rights,” a one-day symposium focusing on mental health in communities of color, on October 10, 2024.
Award-winning Partnerships
CEMHD was presented with Whitney Young Health and Equinox’s Community Partner - Living the Legacy Award on October 10, 2024.
The award is presented each year to an individual or organization that has partnered with Whitney Young Health and Equinox to help advance both organizations’ missions and actively works to improve the lives of others through philanthropic, educational, and/or health care and human services pursuits — empowering our diverse community to achieve better health and wellness.