The College of Health’s (COH) inaugural AFFDP postdoctoral research associate, Erinn Bacchus, joined the College on July 1. A social epidemiologist, she will further her research on health policy related to racial equity and the criminal legal system, including mass incarceration and policing. Her past work has examined COVID-19 mitigation strategies implemented in U.S. jails, police-related stress among gay and bisexual men, low-income housing in New York City, and single payer advocacy among public health academics.
Bacchus comes to the COH through Lehigh University’s Advancing Future Faculty Development Postdoctoral Scholars Program, joining the third cohort of exceptional scholars. This initiative is designed to create an outstanding professional development opportunity for scholars with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, who possess a commitment to inclusive excellence as they prepare for a future tenure track position.
“The College of Health is thrilled to welcome Dr. Bacchus as a colleague,” said Beth Dolan, Dean of the College of Health. “Her research both expands an area of faculty strength—commercial determinants of health—and adds an area of expertise—working with incarcerated people, a key population in our mission to improve health equity.”
“Lehigh University’s AFFDP program, managed out of the ADVANCE Center for Faculty Development and Success, is a highly intentional initiative,” added Marci Levine, PhD, Director of Faculty Development and Success, Lehigh ADVANCE Center. “We emphasize that departmental culture, preparation and clear expectations are needed to drive the professional development and success of a future faculty. It’s wonderful to partner with COH in reimagining the pathway to faculty, creating environments where all scholars can thrive, strengthening the entire teaching and research ecosystem at Lehigh.”
During her postdoc year, Bacchus will receive mentorship from three COH faculty members: Eduardo J. Gómez, professor, department of population health, director of the Institute of Health Policy & Politics, and co-director of the Integrated Business & Health degree; Tracy Nichols, professor and chair, department of community and global health; and Joanna Mishtal, professor and chair, department of population health.
“Erinn’s focus on health inequities in our legal system, particularly among people who are incarcerated, is a critical yet underrepresented area,” said Tracy Nichols. “I am thrilled she is bringing it to the College of Health and am looking forward to helping her grow this important work and incorporate it into teaching and research opportunities at Lehigh.”
“A really big part of my wanting to join Lehigh was the mentorship and the faculty,” Bacchus said. “I really like that the college is semi-new, so there’s a lot of opportunity to have my input, and have a say in the direction in which things go in the college and actually be heard. It is really nice to feel that people are excited about the work that I’m bringing but also really excited to work with me and broaden both of our fields of expertise.”
In addition to publishing the work of her dissertation, Bacchus will receive mentorship and training for a future tenure track position and explore what it means to excel in teaching, research and service. Her dissertation focused on the experiences of formerly incarcerated people on Rikers Island during the COVID-19 pandemic and then integrating it with the commercial determinants of health—the private sector activities that affect people’s health either positively or negatively.
Bacchus strongly believes in the role of social justice and advocacy working in tandem with her research in health policy, especially as she sees the real-world impact on community members, including formerly incarcerated people who have since become friends. While her field is small, she wants to be part of the influence of people who are seeking ways to combat a system that is notoriously difficult to change.
“It was motivating to feel like this is difficult, but you know what, someone has to do it, and I’m really interested,” she explained. “This is something that I care about, and let’s see how I can have a change.”
Bacchus says that her past year leading up to joining Lehigh has been a “whirlwind,” as she defended her dissertation on the exact same day she became a mother.
“It was the most memorable day of my life to both become a doctor and a mom on the same day,” she said. “It has all culminated in this amazing experience where I got to have this perfect human and my degree that I worked years for. Using and having both of those be the core part of my life right now is just really meaningful and really exciting.”
Lehigh University’s AFFDP program strengthens the postdoctoral learning and experience, preparing scholars for success as future faculty, potentially in the College of Health.
