Women Scientists at Downstate Lead Efforts on COVID-19 Research

By Office of the President | Apr 3, 2023

To mark Women’s History Month, the Office of Communications & Marketing organized a panel on COVID-19 research highlighting the contributions of outstanding women scientists at Downstate, moderated by Teresa Y. Smith, M.D., MSEd, Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education and Affiliations. Panelists reviewed how their research evolved or pivoted during the pandemic. They also discussed how the pandemic exacerbated health disparities, the importance of mentorship, why diversity in the scientific and public health workforce is essential, and how using lessons learned during the pandemic could build more robust structures for the future.

Panelists included:

Tracey E. Wilson, Ph.D., SPH Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research and Distinguished Service Professor of Community Health Sciences. Dr. Wilson discussed the intersection of social determinants of health with social isolation and loneliness and how the pandemic intensified these issues. Funded by an NIH grant, principal investigators Drs. Wilson and Jacquelyn Meyers, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry, are studying the long-term effects of social isolation and loneliness on COVID-era mental health, substance use, and chronic disease management.

Marlene Camacho-Rivera, SC.D., MS, MPH, SPH Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences. Dr. Camacho-Rivera’s research centers on social determinants of health and their impact on chronic disease outcomes in marginalized communities. During the pandemic, she documented that the structural inequities perpetuating health inequities also manifested in COVID-19 inequities. As part of her work, Dr. Camacho-Rivera examined weaknesses in the public health workforce and developed strategies to encourage clinicians, allied health professionals, and individuals from disenfranchised backgrounds to enter the field of public health.

Raavi Gupta, M.D., Associate Professor, Division of Surgical Pathology and Hematopathology. Dr. Gupta studies immunologic mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis and various cancers, focusing on disparities. During the pandemic, she elucidated the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Drawing on University Hospital at Downstate’s unique experience as a designated “COVID-only” hospital, Dr. Gupta published five high-impact articles on COVID-19, including a seminal study to identify the causes of health disparity, determine prognostic indicators, and assess the efficacy of treatment interventions in patients admitted with severe disease during the height of the pandemic in New York City.

Carla Boutin-Foster, M.D., MS, Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity. Dr. Boutin-Foster explained how COVID-19 compelled her to pivot from research on health disparities to research on health equity. As part of this work, she examined systemic factors contributing to downstream disparities in marginalized communities. She also developed frameworks that organizations can use to advance equity.  

Aimee Afable, Ph.D., MPH, Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences. Dr. Afable’s research examines the fundamental causes of inequities and develops community-driven solutions to address them. “We Care About Brooklyn,” for example, focuses on the daily survival needs of pregnant patients to understand why Central Brooklyn is the epicenter of New York City’s maternal health crisis. In addition, the Brooklyn Health Equity Index is a tool that health systems can use to judge how well they address equity.

Interested in finding out more? You can view the panel discussion here.