The CUNY Institute for Health Equity (CIHE), in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and the School of Health Sciences, Human Services, and Nursing, is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Health Disparities Dissemination Science (HDDS) Faculty Summer Fellowship.

“We are proud to recognize this inaugural cohort of Faculty Fellows, who will lead rigorous, community-driven projects delivering proven solutions to reduce health disparities in the Bronx,” said Maria-Isabel Roldós, associate professor at Lehman College and director of the CUNY Institute for Health Equity (CIHE). “This milestone marks a significant step forward as CIHE advances toward establishing itself as a research institute with both local and national impact, while furthering our mission to promote health equity.”

Facilitated by Roldós and Jaye Jones, director of Student Support Services Programs, the fellowship runs from June through August 2025 and supports CUNY faculty in designing and implementing community-based, evidence-driven interventions to tackle pressing health inequities in The Bronx.

This year’s fellowship cohort includes:

• Nancy Genova, professor of Public Policy and Law, Hostos Community College
  Professor Genova and collaborator professor Janet Michello will develop community-based educational programs and smoking cessation initiatives aimed at reducing asthma rates by addressing household pollutants and improving living conditions in the South Bronx. Their approach includes multilingual outreach, public forums, and partnerships with local organizations, with effectiveness measured via pre- and post-assessments.
  
  
• Pratyusha Mandal, assistant professor of Biological Sciences, Lehman College
  Professor Mandal will create evidence-based workshops for middle schools, high schools, and community colleges to educate youth on the health risks of smoking and vaping. The initiative combines scientific content with cessation strategies and partners with local institutions to engage vulnerable, low-income, and minority communities.
  
  
• Janet Michello, professor of Social Sciences, LaGuardia Community College
  Partnering with Professor Genova, Michello will co-lead efforts to combat asthma disparities in the South Bronx through culturally responsive education and smoking cessation programs focused on reducing indoor air pollutants. The program’s impact will be assessed through pre- and post-intervention data.
  
  
• Darcel Reyes, ANP-BC, FAAN, associate professor of Nursing, Lehman College
  Professor Reyes will develop a research proposal addressing health literacy and access to care gaps among underserved populations, emphasizing community-driven, evidence-based interventions for marginalized groups including people living with HIV, individuals with substance use disorders, and immigrants.
  
  
• William Suarez, assistant professor, Health Equity, Administration, and Technology (HEAT), Lehman College
  Professor Suarez will focus on food justice by promoting the right to accessible, affordable, and adequate food in urban multicultural communities. His research explores links between food insecurity and mental health, advancing culturally informed strategies to reduce disparities and improve well-being.

The HDDS Fellowship represents a key investment in local solutions to systemic health disparities and supports CUNY’s broader goal of community-engaged scholarship.