Dr. Nilsen, associate professor of social work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), joins the Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health (CISWH) as a visiting scholar during the 2025–2026 academic year. Her sabbatical research focuses on three intersecting areas: gerontological social work, interdisciplinary innovation, and…

Dr. William Crown is a Distinguished Research Scientist at CISWH, where he focuses on evaluating the economic value of social work on patient outcomes and healthcare costs. He also analyzes effects of global health programs—such as PEPFAR—on health systems performance and population health outcomes.  Dr. Crown is an internationally recognized…

As a Senior Project Manager, Monica plays a critical role in shaping research priorities and overseeing project planning and implementation. She facilitates coordination between the research team, external partners, and funding agencies to ensure seamless execution of project activities. In addition, Monica contributes substantively to research efforts, including literature reviews,…

Serena Rajabiun, MA, MPH, PhD, assistant professor, has over twenty years of international and domestic public health experience. Her research focuses on community based strategies and interventions to increase access to and the quality of health care services and reduce health disparities. She works with individuals across the life course,…

Senior Project Director Allyson Baughman leads the Health Equity Research Lab. A thought leader and policy specialist, she guides and oversees initiatives that advance research, policy, and practice to promote health equity. Allyson bring to her work nearly two decades of expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis,…

Doctoral Fellow Claudine Lavarin works primarily on the evaluation of the Colors of Kindness Bus project’s impact on the social-emotional and mental well-being of migrant children and their families in Massachusetts. In this role, she conducts and co-facilitates surveys, interviews, data analysis, and the development of findings. Lavarin…

Centered in the belief that building lasting relationships and looking out for those left behind are crucial for true equity, Policy Fellow Molly Heald brings commitment to these values to her work. Focusing on the Beyond 2025 database, she provides information about the policies proposed in “Project 2025” and the…

Social Work Graduate Fellow Abdul Haseeb Hamza has been engaged in research, advocacy, and program development projects at the Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health (CISWH) since 2023. His primary focus is improving health equity for people with disabilities. He also contributed to a project using virtual…

Doctoral Fellow Edima Ottoho works closely with CISWH’s executive director to enhance the center’s strategic initiatives. She provides guidance and tools to strengthen team procedures, streamline planning and implementation tracking, and improve performance measurement. Her work supports integration efforts to maximize the effectiveness, cohesion, and impact of CISWH’s labs, projects,…

Dr. Nandakumar is a Professor of Practice and leads the Global Social Work and Public Health Lab. He directs research on the economic impact of social work and examines how global health investments—particularly through PEPFAR—affect health systems and outcomes. His work bridges economics, public health, and social policy to advance…