Spring 2026 ISHE Newsletter
Welcome to the Institute for Social and Health Equity (ISHE)
Spring brought continued momentum at ISHE, with steady growth in research, partnerships and engagement across our centers. We remain focused on advancing collaborative, equity driven work that supports faculty, researchers and community impact across the University at Albany.
A Message from ISHE’s Director
The Institute for Social and Health Equity (ISHE) continues to grow as a vibrant, university-wide research hub at the University at Albany. We are expanding interdisciplinary research across health, criminal justice, education, and other critical areas while strengthening partnerships including with state agencies. Together, these collaborations are advancing new opportunities to understand and address complex social and health challenges.
Building on momentum
ISHE has launched several interdisciplinary working groups to strengthen collaboration and support the development of competitive research proposals. These groups bring together faculty and researchers across disciplines to focus on key priority areas such as mental health, climate and environmental health, artificial intelligence, education, healthy aging, traffic and criminal justice. By fostering early-stage collaboration and shared expertise, these working groups are helping generate innovative ideas and position teams for future funding success.
At the same time, ISHE is strengthening collaboration across its affiliated centers, creating opportunities for integrated, cross-disciplinary research. Eager to learn more? Come and join us at ETEC, during the Research and Entrepreneurship Week (October 19 to October 23).
UAlbany Showcase
Spring brought continued momentum at ISHE, with steady growth in research, partnerships and engagement across our centers. We remain focused on advancing collaborative, equity driven work that supports faculty, researchers and community impact across the University at Albany. ISHE participated in UAlbany Showcase 2026 on April 30, joining more than 2,600 students and faculty in celebrating research, scholarship and creative activity across the University.
Highlights & Achievements
Research on Dyslexia Laws
ISHE Research Scientist Dr. Eric Hengyu Hu highlights in a new publication that while most U.S. states have dyslexia laws, there has been limited measurable improvement in outcomes for struggling readers.
Excellence in Education Research
Dr. Morgan received the 2026 Special Education Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children for his research, which has improved programs, policy, and outcomes for children and youth with disabilities.
Engagement
ISHE continues to engage in events that bring together researchers, policymakers and community partners to support collaboration and knowledge exchange, with highlights including summits, forums and speaker series across its centers.
Publication on Disparities in Autism Identification
A new publication by Dr. Paul L. Morgan and Dr. Hu underscores persistent disparities in autism identification in U.S. elementary schools, with several marginalized groups less likely to be identified.
Expand Your Impact with ISHE
Join the growing ISHE community of researchers, practitioners, students, and community partners advancing social and health equity. Become an ISHE affiliate to connect and engage in interdisciplinary initiatives.
Team Expansion
ISHE continues to expand its research capacity and welcomes new team members. Their expertise strengthens our interdisciplinary research on social and health inequities. We look forward to their contributions, collaboration and impact within our research community.
Research Proposal Service Request Form
Are you looking to fund your research and need assistance? Submit your request via the ISHE Support Service Form
Center Highlights
Dr. Betty Lin, The Center for Social and Demographic Analysis (CSDA) faculty associate, was named a 2025-2026 Association of Population Centers (APC) fellow. The fellowship program aims to raise the profile and visibility of early-career population researchers.
CSDA co-sponsored the Sociology Department’s annual Standing Lecture in April. This year’s lecture, titled “Legacies of Immigration and Integration” was held in honor of the late Dr. Richard Alba, CSDA’s founding director. The event featured three distinguished speakers, including two CSDA alumni who were former students of Dr. Alba. CSDA was well-represented at the annual Population Association of America Meetings in May. Fourteen presentations were authored or coauthored by CSDA faculty affiliates and their students. Learn more about CSDA.
The Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) expanded its Aging Well Speaker Series in Spring 2026, highlighting aging, health equity, and population health. In February, Dr. Courtney Peterson (Harvard University) presented on intermittent fasting, time restricted eating, and healthy longevity. In March, "Geographic and Market Forces Shaping U.S. Population Health" featured Dr. Jennifer Karas Montez (Syracuse University) and Dr. Chun-Yu Ho (University at Albany), who examined mortality inequalities across U.S. counties and nursing home market dynamics affecting long-term care access. In partnership with AI+ and ISHE, CHA also co organized "Healthy Aging Futures in the Age of AI," exploring how artificial intelligence may shape aging research and healthcare innovation, and co-hosted the joint seminar "Frontiers in Collaborative Science, Engineering, and Health," featuring Dr. Victoria Rizzo on strengthening aging services and healthcare systems through community-engaged research. Looking ahead, CHA is advancing initiatives in AI and aging, workforce development, and community-engaged research. Learn more about the Center for Healthy Aging (CHA).
Dr. Amy Nitza, Director of GCAIMH, was featured on The Engagement Ring podcast, discussing how AI can expand access to mental health diagnosis and treatment. In May 2026, she participated in a World Health Assembly side event in Geneva hosted by the Health Innovation Exchange (HIEx), where the GCAIMH AI tools TherAssist and JulienPFA were showcased. Dr. Nitza highlighted how these innovations can strengthen mental health support and workforce capacity. Dr. Nitza also joined a panel on AI in global workforce development. On June 19, she talked about AI and mental health support in crisis settings at a United Nations 2.0 event in NYC. GCAIMH continues to advance AI and global mental health through international engagement and convenings. The 4th Annual GCAIMH Summit will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 at the SUNY Global Center in New York City. This year’s theme, Scaling Care, Not Inequality: Building What’s Missing in AI for Mental Health, will focus on how AI can expand access to mental health care and responses to global crises. Learn more about The Global Center for AI in Mental Health.
CEHD is proud to have co-sponsored several impactful events with community and academic partners over this past academic year. In Fall 2025, the Black Men’s Mental Health Conference on August 16, Bias and Microaggressions Workshops on August 28 and October 2, and the L.E.T.S. Save Lives suicide prevention program on September 19. On October 16–17, CEHD co-hosted a symposium with Harvard’s JPB Fellowship on the Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, followed by the Prescription for Progress Coalition Fall Summit on November 20 addressing the opioid crisis. In 2026 May, CEHD’s Health Disparities Fellows, including Fellowship alumni Justin Clayton, along with the Albany Minority Health Task Force and the Albany Law School Black Law Student Association presented the first annual “Returning Home: Health and Wellness After Incarceration” event, with keynotes Stefen Short and John Comer. Additional events included CEHD’s annual SPRINTERs meeting on June 18, 2026. Stay tuned for our Third Annual Black Men’s Mental Health Conference (Co-Sponsored with the Beta Psi Boule Foundation, Inc.) late this summer, and our Annual President’s Forum on Health Disparities co-sponsored with the Maternal Child Health Institute in September 2026. Learn more about the Center for the Elimination of Health Disparities (CEHD).