Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare Names 2025-2026 Faculty Fellows

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Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare Names 2025-2026 Faculty Fellows

Hands massaging the palm of another hand.

Fellowships are granted through a competitive process for the support of cross-disciplinary, community-embedded research related to practices that promote population wellness and support equitable and inclusive community health access.

Five members of Utica University's faculty have been awarded fellowships by The Institute for the Study of Integrative Healthcare for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The fellowships were awarded upon the recommendation of the Faculty Fellows Committee of the Institute Advisory Council.

Jing-Mao Ho, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Data Science was awarded a fellowship for “Social Determinants, Epigenetic Clocks, and Mental Health” for a study into the growing mental health crisis experienced in the United States and how an integrative healthcare approach can be taken to address the crisis. The birth of social epigenetics—the study of effects of social environments on gene expression—brings renewed weight to a question of long-standing interest to social scientists studying the social determinants of health (SDOH): To what extent social structural factors cause mental illnesses?

Image of Cecily Talerico, Jae Sung Park, and Trista Richardson

Cicily Talerico, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Trista Richardson, Professor of Practice in Occupational Therapy, and Jae Sung Park, Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Exercise & Wellness Studies were each awarded fellowships for “Empowering College Students to Engage in Health and Wellness to Improve Wellbeing and Quality of Life” - a research project aims to improve the health and wellness, well-being, and quality of life of college students. Using the Eight Dimensions of Wellness Model, college students will be empowered to create wellness-related behaviors into their daily habits and routines and assume personal responsibility to be proactive in preserving their health. The researchers are hopeful that the students will continue using this model across their lifespan as well as incorporate this model into their future careers as physical education, and wellness and adventure educators.

Walaa Sayed Mohammad, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, was awarded a fellowship for “Assessing the Integration of Holistic Healthcare Resources on University Websites” - a project which aims to assess the accessibility, inclusivity, and quality of integrative healthcare resources provided through university websites. By systematically evaluating how well these digital platforms disseminate holistic health content—such as mindfulness programs, physical activity resources, and mental well-being initiatives—the study will identify gaps, best practices, and opportunities for improvement.

For more information about the Faculty Fellowship application process, contact integrativehealthcare@utica.edu.