Dr. Cheruvelil is an anthropologist and behavioral ecologist who addresses problems at the intersection of human health, the lived environment, and culture through a socio-ecological systems framework prioritizing and working in partnership with black, indigenous, and communities of color. He seeks to 1) clarify the roles and effects of root causes on social determinants of health, 2) advance scientific understanding of the biobehavioral (intersection of biology and behavior) basis of health outcomes, and 3) connect patterns in the human behavior and environment with processes understood through the analysis of large datasets, modeling, and simulation.
Although social justice has long been a part of my personal life and practice, it wasn’t until I began my PhD in Developmental Psychology that I reflected critically on integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into my research. My work as a graduate student and postdoctoral scholar took many forms, focusing on topics such as women’s sexual agency, the impact of historical and present-day stereotypes on mental health and self-esteem, and the confluence of identity- and disciplinary biases in tenure and promotion review processes that harm marginalized scholars in higher education. This research trajectory made me increasingly aware of and appreciate the need for structural interventions to solve structural problems.
Ultimately, I believe that the communal wisdom of marginalized individuals’ lived experiences provides the tools to navigate and dismantle the systems that don’t serve them. Accordingly, my work at NYAA uses survey design and quantitative methods to amplify the voices of community members and the workforce that advocate with them while employing geospatial and secondary data sources to elucidate the structural barriers that undermine equitable outcomes.
My work as a researcher aims to understand the processes and structures that either facilitate or hinder full equity for individuals from marginalized groups. During my doctoral and postdoctoral training, I studied topics related to stigmatization, interpersonal relationships, and the multi-level structural barriers to participation in higher education. During this time, I became particularly interested in research and data ethics, particularly the concept of data autonomy as a source of empowerment for marginalized individuals. My work emphasizes ethical data practices that prioritize the agency and autonomy of those who are often research subjects. With the NYAA team, I use quantitative and qualitative analytic methods to address health access and equity questions. I am enthusiastic about growing with the research firm to advance access to data and develop innovative solutions that drive health equity.