Mentored Research
Mentoring is central to the learning experience of NYU Silver PhD students and is in many ways the heart of the PhD program. Silver School faculty bring a wealth of experience and opportunities to their mentor-mentee relationships. They are renowned for their expertise in a range of research areas—including health and mental health services research and poverty studies—with a strong portfolio of grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, other federal funders, and major foundations. Through these funded projects, they provide students with advanced training opportunities and help them develop co-authored scholarly publications and co-presentations at national scientific conferences. They also collaborate on other focused learning partnerships, such as those offered through the PhD Program Research Lecture Series.
Silver School doctoral students engage in cutting-edge research training with faculty at our nationally and globally recognized research centers:
The Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health (CLAFH) investigates the role of the Latino family in shaping the development and well-being of Latino adolescents. CLAFH addresses the needs of New York’s diverse Latino communities in both national and global contexts. CLAFH serves as a link between the scientific community, Latino health and social service providers, and the broader Latino community.
The McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research oversees numerous applied studies aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty, as well as examining approaches to reduce its effects. McSilver’s studies are defined by research partnerships with policy makers, service organizations, and community stakeholders. An understanding of the links between individuals, families, and communities to their external environments, as well as the interrelatedness of race and poverty guide McSilver's research efforts.
The Center on Violence and Recovery (CVR) is dedicated to advancing knowledge on the causes and consequences of violence and trauma and developing solutions that foster healing among individuals, families, and communities. CVR develops cutting-edge solutions to promote healing and transformation; conducts research studies on critical issues connected to trauma and restoration; and offers trainings, workshops, and lectures on topics related to trauma and healing.
The Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) is a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded Center of Excellence that aims to end the HIV and HCV epidemics in drug using populations and their communities by conducting transdisciplinary research and disseminating its findings to inform programmatic, policy, and grass roots initiatives at the local, state, national and global levels.
“Dr. Gwadz has been an incredible mentor.
I am lucky to have found not only an experienced and successful mentor whose research interests directly align with my own, but also a mentor who supports and encourages me each step of the way in my PhD journey.”
Sabrina Cluesman, second-year PhD student, recipient of conference scholarship from the American Public Health Association’s Public Health Social Work Section
“I would not have applied for these nationally competitive opportunities if it were not for Dr. Merritt.
She could see more than I could how important they would be for my development and that I had a high likelihood of being accepted.”
Rachel Ludeke, fourth-year PhD student, recipient of scholarships to three competitive summer programs
“When I first came to NYU, I didn’t think students were supposed to work with any other faculty members besides their official mentor.
But at Silver, you are encouraged to work with different people and to pursue opportunities to become your best self professionally and academically.”
Lauren Jessell, PhD ’20
“Dr. Manuel has provided tremendous support and helped me gain skills and knowledge in conducting research.
As a research assistant on Dr. Manuel’s CTI study, I was able to gain experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, data collection, and manuscript writing, as well as how to conduct a randomized controlled trial and manage a study team.”
Yeqing Yuan, final-year PhD candidate, recipient of a National Institute on Drug Abuse–funded pre-doctoral fellowship