Who We Are


The Institute for Social and Health Equity (ISHE) is a new research and training hub which aims to leverage UAlbany's current strengths in conjunction with community engagement. The institute will serve as a home for interdisciplinary research partnerships with regional partners in the fields of academia, government, nonprofit organizations, and private sector.  

 

How We Can Help You

ISHE offers a range of support services to assist researchers in the grant application process. Our goal is to support researchers in securing funding and advancing the fields of public health, social work, education and policy studies. Contact ISHE.

 

 

ISHE Staff
Dr. Paul L. Morgan, Director of ISHE
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Dr. Paul L. Morgan is the Inaugural Director of the University at Albany’s Institute of Social and Health Equity (ISHE) and an Empire Innovation Professor in the School of Public Health. With over 75 studies published in leading journals, his research on social and health equity has gained attention in major media outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post and has been funded by prestigious organizations such as the NSF, NIH, and the Spencer Foundation. Dr. Morgan’s work has also been highlighted by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the National Academies.

At ISHE, Dr. Morgan assists researchers by fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, advancing impactful research on social and health disparities, and providing expert guidance in developing successful grant proposals. His expertise offers a strong foundation, enhancing researchers’ ability to craft compelling proposals and increase their chances of securing funding for their projects and ideas.

Contact Paul

Debbie Hazapis, Director of Operations
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Debbie efficiently manages collaborations with large interdisciplinary teams. Her experience supporting grant-funded projects can help you achieve successful research outcomes and enhance outreach. 
Contact Debbie

Lacey Griffin-Braaf, Operations Coordinator
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Lacey brings over a decade of experience in managing state and federal budgets, drafting accurate and compliant budgets for grant proposals. Her expertise ensures alignment with grant requirements, optimal resource allocation, and maximized funding potential. 
Contact Lacey

Valerie Guerin, Grant Writer
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Valerie is an experienced academic and technical writer. Drawing from years of expertise, she can provide detailed feedback to help you develop a compelling and competitive proposal. 
Contact Valerie

Saloni Agrawal, Administrative Assistant
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Saloni specializes in grant proposal development, creating clear, compelling visuals and leveraging various media formats. Her skills enhance proposal clarity and engagement, transforming complex information into accessible, persuasive presentations.

An Institute with a Vision

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$1.7 Million University Investment in Social and Health Equity

ISHE brings together researchers exploring topics such as disparities in maternal and childhood health, healthy aging, emergency management, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, exposure to environmental toxins, as well as social services that support vulnerable populations.

 

"Understanding the drivers that underly and perpetuate these disparities, and developing strategies to mitigate them, requires a cross-cutting approach that includes building partnerships within and beyond the University."

Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas
Vice President for Research and Economic Development


 

Proposal Development Support Services
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Enhance your proposals with expert guidance focused on effective writing techniques. Receive detailed feedback and actionable suggestions to strengthen your draft proposal. 

Project Management and Budgetary Support
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Get help with budgeting, compliance, and submission requirements to ensure your applications are accurate and complete. 

Administrative and Media Support
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To streamline proposal creation and effectively convey research concepts, we offer essential administrative support, including media image development and model construction services.

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Collaborative Research

The Institute will coordinate research interest groups (RIGs) to bring together researchers working on related issues across disciplines. 

In partnership with UAlbany’s AI Plus Initiative, ISHE takes an AI-driven approach to social and health equity research. AI Plus leverages artificial intelligence to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges in cybersecurity, climate science, emergency preparedness and health sciences. 

ISHE also collaborates with the BILPOC Faculty Advancement Initiative to support efforts to improve faculty diversity through hiring, retention, and promotion of current UAlbany faculty who identify as people of color.

News and Events

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