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- [email protected]
- Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Advancing Health Equity Through Intersectional Research
The Lab for Intersectional Health Equity Research (LIHER) explores how overlapping social, economic, and structural factors shape health outcomes and works toward more equitable, informed policy solutions.
600+ Different Tests
Experienced professionals
Our Mission
About LIHER
The Lab for Intersectional Health Equity Research (LIHER) is dedicated to advancing research that addresses complex health inequities through an intersectional lens.
We bring together community members and scholars across disciplines to examine how systems of power, policy, and social structures influence health outcomes. By integrating diverse perspectives from social and biomedical sciences, LIHER works to generate meaningful, equity-driven insights that inform both research and real-world impact.
10+ Community Partners
50+ Research Projects
Methodology
Our Approach
Intersectionality in Action
At LIHER, we use an intersectional framework to understand how multiple factors such as race, class, gender, and socioeconomic status(among others) interact to shape health experiences and outcomes.
Policy-Focused Research
Our work is grounded in Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis (IBPA), a framework that helps evaluate how policies impact different populations. This approach allows us to identify gaps, uncover inequities, and contribute to more inclusive and effective decision-making.
Interdisciplinary Thinking
We combine methods from the biological, social sciences, and public health data-driven approaches to address complex health challenges.
What We Study
Research Focus Areas
Our research explores a wide range of critical issues in health equity, including:
- Health Policy and Systems Analysis
- Mental Health and Behavioral Health Intersections
- Public Health Trust and Communication
- Immigration and Health Outcomes
- AI and Digital Health Communication
- Social Determinants of Health
Each area reflects our commitment to understanding not just differences in health outcomes, but the underlying systems that create inequities.
20
Years of exps
Our Mission & Goals
We focus not only on identifying disparities, but on understanding and addressing the systemic factors that make them avoidable and unjust.
Create a collaborative space for advancing intersectional health equity research
Support innovative, interdisciplinary research approaches
Inform policy and decision-making with evidence-based insights
Promote social justice and equitable health outcomes
Our Team
LIHER is composed of researchers and scholars working across diverse areas of health and policy, including AI-driven health communication analysis, Mental health and behavioral research, Public health systems and trust, Immigration and policy-related health studies.
Airín Denise Martínez, PhD
Principal Investigator
Naomi Guerrero Reyes
Doctoral Student
Ashleigh Sayer
Doctoral Candidate
Parastoo Dezyani
Doctoral Candidate
Samantha Kloft
Doctoral Candidate
Vishal Shetty
Doctoral Candidate
Joyce Mogaka
Ph.D. StudentMeet With LIHER
In the LIHER Lab Meeting we workshop works-in-progress amongst lab members and discuss the latest on intersectionality health equity research, policy and action. We Meet every other Tuesday at 12 PM EST virtually.
We invite you to join the lab meeting and be with us
Next meetings: April 28th, May 5th, May 12th
Recent Articles
Insights & Research
29Apr
Seen and Not Alone: Redesigning Mental Health Resources for Latino/x Men
Suicide rates among Hispanic/Latino/x men (from no...
24Apr
When Science Meets the Margins: Biospecimen Research and Intersectional Health Equity
A 2022 study published in BMC Public Health by Mar...
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about LIHER, our research approach, collaborations, and ongoing work.
How do I join the lab?
If you are a current Masters or Doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and examine research questions related to intersectionality and health equity, you are welcome to assist the biweekly lab meetings. Generally, student members of LIHER are Dr. Martínez’s primary, secondary or tertiary advisees — meaning she chairs or is a committee member on their thesis, dissertation prospectus, or dissertation committee. Dr. Martínez is currently not accepting new doctoral students to mentor in the Health Policy & Management Doctoral Program.
Does LIHER accept master’s students or only PhD students?
Both.
What does a typical research assistant role look like? Is it paid, for course credit, or volunteer?
Research assistant roles are generally paid roles. However, my undergraduate course assistants for PUBHLTH 129 receive one to three course credits.
Who is the PI/director of the lab, and what is their background?
The PI of LIHER is Airín D. Martínez. You can learn about her background here.
Is LIHER affiliated with UMass Amherst?
The members of LIHER are affiliated with UMASS Amherst, but our research will continue regardless of academic affiliations.
How do I contact the lab for speaking engagements, media inquiries, or grant collaborations?
Please fill out the Contact Us form or send an email to [email protected] or [email protected]. If you seek to contact an individual LIHER member about their research, please find their email under Research Team.