The strategic research themes in the College of Health focus on interdisciplinary topics that are critical to community and population health. In our Community and Population Health research area, we seek to improve the health of underserved populations through data-driven prevention and intervention based on social, biological, psychological, commercial, and other determinants of health. Our Health Innovation & Technology research aims to develop diagnostics, devices, and data analytics to improve health outcomes, leveraging Lehigh’s traditional technology strengths.

The College of Health accomplishes its work through partnership.  We partner internally at Lehigh with colleagues in business, engineering, education, and the arts and sciences in multidisciplinary collaborations that reflect the complex nature of any health challenge. We collaborate with a range of external partners – from corporations and foundations to health networks and government agencies – who work with communities and share our goals to address some of society’s most pressing health challenges.

Research and partners inquires may be directed to INRSRCH@lehigh.edu

Areas of Research 

• Improving the health of global & Indigenous populations
• Exploring the impact of the built environment and greenspace
• Modeling of infectious diseases for prediction and control
• Creating interventions to improve mental & behavioral health
• Addressing maternal & child health issues
• Integrating health data science & technology, as well as qualitative methods
• Examining health policy & ethics in healthcare, and economics of health systems
• Tackling issues of addiction and substance use (smoking, alcohol, etc)
• Assessing environmental factors (air, water, etc) on health
• Reducing health disparities among underserved populations in the Lehigh Valley and internationally (LGBTQ, Immigrant, Latino, etc)

Research News >>

Lehigh Research Review
2023 Volume No. 7

• Rochelle Frounfelker & Gabrielle String
  • WASH Insecurity and Psychological Well-being: A Concept Mapping Study
  • Oxfam Report
• Rochelle Frounfelker
  • The Washpsych Datasets: Wash Insecurity and Psychosocial Wellbeing in Ivory Coast and Nigeria
  • SSRN
• Jong Cheol Shin
  • Investigating the Impact of Daily and Nighttime Noise on Sleep Duration: Insights from an Apple Watch Study
  • Sleep
• Jong Cheol Shin
  • The 3-30-300 Rule for Green Space Exposure and Sleep in Elementary School Children
  • Sleep
• Tom McAndrew
  • The Watermelon Meow Meow Outbreak: Enhancing Public Health Education Through Real-World Experience, Statistical Programming, and Infectious Disease Modeling
  • PRIMUS
• Linchen He
  • Nasal oxidative stress mediating the effects of colder temperature exposure on pediatric asthma symptoms
  • Pediatric Research

Lehigh University is adopting a decentralized approach to research management, enhancing support for faculty with a visible first point of contact. As a pioneering effort for the University, faculty within the College of Health benefit from a dedicated team of professionals, administrative staff, and research personnel at the college level. This structure offers a comprehensive suite of support services aimed at streamlining research operations and fostering a thriving academic environment.

A key component of this support system is the college’s employment of two full-time, professional Research Administrators—Contract & Grant Coordinators—who specialize in both pre-award and post-award support. These roles are critical in managing the administrative and financial aspects of research projects, allowing faculty to focus on their scholarly work.

Contract & Grant Coordinator (Pre-Award)

• Facilitates funding proposal development
• Supports ideation and team-building efforts
• Provides document review and editorial support
• Facilitates budget development

Contract & Grant Coordinator (Post-Award)

• Administers payroll for research project staff
• Facilitates accounts payable and contract review
• Provides assistance with OneCard transactions
• Conducts financial management and expense review

To further strengthen research oversight and management, the college employs an Associate Director of Research Administration and an Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Education. These roles are integral to shaping research strategy and providing leadership in proposal development and financial award management. Their expertise ensures that research initiatives are well-supported and aligned with the College’s strategic goals.

By prioritizing research management and student success, the College of Health establishes a holistic support network that empowers faculty, enriches student experiences, and strengthens the institution’s research and academic mission.