Community-Engaged Research for Health Justice (CERHJ) Lab
Engaging communities in health justice research
Meet the Team
Tricia Lewis, MPH, Ph.D.
Tricia Lewis, MPH, Ph.D., is the co-director of the CERHJ lab. She earned her Ph.D. in Sociology and Master’s in Public Health from Emory University. Lewis is a community-engaged scholar, using qualitative and quantitative methods to study the intersections of housing and gender inequity. Her research exposes the unique socio-political challenges that low-wage women face in obtaining adequate housing and the role of violence in constraining their choices.
Anna E. Price, Ph.D., MCHES, CPH, FAAHB
Anna Price, Ph.D., is the co-director of the CERJH lab. She earned her Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior from the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. Price’s research is community-driven, employing action research methodologies to better understand and implement environmental and policy supports for health justice. Much of Price’s research focuses on active living; however, depending on community need and requests, her research has spanned numerous topics, including vaccine hesitancy, tobacco access and control, high heat in classrooms, climate justice, and more.
Alessandro (Alex) Fernandez, BS
Alex Fernandez is a graduate student in the Master of Public Health program at Sacred Heart University, who also earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University. He is employed with PT Partners in Bridgeport, CT, a job opportunity that emerged from his community-based research experience with them. Fernandez is working to advance housing justice in Bridgeport, CT, and is auditing smoke shops in the Bridgeport community. He is also a certified EMT.
Hamid Safi, BS
Hamid Safi is a graduate student in the Master of Public Health program at Sacred Heart University. He is employed with Liberation Programs in Stamford, CT, a job opportunity that emerged from his community-based research experience with them. Hamid is also auditing smoke shops in the Bridgeport community.
Joseph (Joe) Falcao, BS
Joe Falcao is a graduate student in the Master of Public Health program at Sacred Heart University, who also earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University. He is also a certified EMT. Joe is currently auditing smoke shops in the Bridgeport (CT) community.
In the Media
- CT Mirror: Bridgeport exhibit shows Greene Homes through residents’ eyes: ‘It’s our story to tell’
- CT Mirror: Don’t let St. Stephen’s Road become a sacrifice zone (Alessandro Fernandez’s op-ed)
- CT Mirror: Just Cause Eviction is an essential policy for the health and safety of CT residents [Lewis, P., and Quintana, T. (2025, May)]
- WSHU: Connecticut Public Radio: Interview with Tom Kuser on The Full Story: “Staying Housed and Healthy”, (Aired April 7, 2023)
- CT Post: Smoking ban proposed for Bridgeport parks (2014)
Current Projects
Past Projects
CERHJ Lab Alumni
- Janice Aguyo, MPH ‘25, CHES, co-program coordinator for Fairfield CARES Community Coalition, Northwell Health
Photos from the Field
Photography credit: Gary Pivot
More Information
Interested in participating in research or learning about the work conducted in the lab? Email Professor Lewis at lewisp@sacredheart.edu or Professor Price at pricea5@sacredheart.edu.