Pamela Valera, Ph.D., MSW, NCTTP

Degrees & Certifications

• Ph.D. in Social Work, University of South Carolina
• Master in Social Work, University of Michigan
• BA in Psychology, University of San Francisco
• Digital Storytelling Certificate
• Financial Technologies (FINTECH) Certificate
• Climate Change and Health Certificate

Teaching Responsibilities

• SW 702 Quantitative Methods
• SW 705 Qualitative Research Methods
• SW 722 Historical and Theoretical Contexts of Social Work
• SW 798 Qualifying Paper
• SW 801 Dissertation Proposal

Awards & Fellowships

Dr. Valera completed a three-year NIMH T32 postdoctoral research fellowship in HIV Prevention and Human Sexuality at the Columbia University/New York Psychiatric Institute, as well as clinical training in cancer health from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and also an NHLBI R25 Program to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) fellowship from SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

Research & Grants

Dr. Valera’s research focuses on the drivers of poor health outcomes among people living with HIV, those at risk for HIV, correctional professionals, and people involved in the criminal justice system. She is also passionate about training and helping community partners increase their organizational capacity.

Dr. Valera is the founder/director of the Community Health Justice Lab. This initiative aims to train the next generation of first-generation college students in the social determinants of health and implementation science research.

Federal

NIMH R34MH14094, Implementing Mental Health First Aid for Correctional Professionals: A Pilot Trail within a County Jail – 07/01/2025 – 6/30/2028; PI: Pamela Valera [Pending Review]

Completed

NSF 2027784, RAPID: Counters Language Biases in COVID-19 Search Auto-Completes, 05/1/2020 – 4/30/2022; $198,985; MPI: Pamela Valera; Contact PI: Vivek Singh

NCI K22CA197066, Cancer Health Disparities in Incarcerated Men, 8/20/2015 – 7/20/2019.
$574,887; Contact PI: Valera

NCI K01CA154861, Health Seeking among Men with Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse Histories, 9/21/2010 – 7/31/2015; $684,726; Contact PI: Valera

New Jersey Health Foundation – (PI: Valera) –3/15/24 – 7/31/24; $35,000

Rutgers GVRC, Establishing the New Jersey Correctional Officer Mental Health, Suicide, and Gun Violence Task Force - An exploratory study, 7/1/2022 - 6/30/2023. $49,432; Contact PI: Valera

New Jersey Health Foundation PC 110-23, Exploring Diet Quality and Food Insecurity Among People Living with HIV in New Jersey, 2/15/2023 – 2/14/2024. $25,000; effort: in-kind; Contact PI: Valera

Contracts

County of Essex County – (PI: Valera) –3/15/23 – 5/31/24; $30,000

New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (PI: Zerbo); 8/01/22 – 12/30/23; $714,000; effort: 20%; Contact PI: Levanois
(Role: Co-Investigator)

County of Essex County – (PI: Valera) – 10/1/21 – 5/30/22; $40,000