Advancing Global Dementia Equity: A New Framework for Understanding Risk in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Dr. Babulal and Dr. Trani sharing senior authorship from the GRID lab collaborated with Dr Beth Shaaban, University of Pittsburgh – School of Nursing, and a team of coauthors (Vidyani Suryadevara, PhD Ashley Hill Sadaf Milani Puja Agarwal Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD Rufus Akinyemi Suvarna Alladi Dr. Monique J. B. Jessica Z Kirkland Caldwell, Ph.D., ABPP-CN Paulo Caramelli […]
Evidence From Afghanistan on School Based Psychosocial Support in Crisis Settings
The GRID lab team, led by Jean-Francois Trani, conducted a randomized controlled trial in rural Afghanistan evaluating a school-based psychosocial intervention designed to support children living in a conflict zone. The Child Resilience in Afghanistan Study (CRAS) relies on community-based staff to deliver culturally adapted training to students, teachers, and parents, aiming to improve mental health, life […]
The impact of a participatory intervention to improve learning outcomes and reduce school-based discrimination and community stigma in primary rural schools of Afghanistan: A cluster control randomized trial
The published study tested a school program in rural Afghanistan to see if it could help children learn better and feel more confident at school. The program had two parts: (1) community workshops where parents, teachers, students, and school committees mapped school problems and chose practical “action ideas” (like improving classrooms or holding regular parent–teacher […]
Mustafa Rfat Awarded National Career Enhancement Scholarship by APHA Disability Section
Congratulations to Mustafa Rfat, a PhD candidate in social work and a member of the Global Research on Inclusion and Disability (GRID) team, on receiving the prestigious 2025 Career Enhancement Scholarship from the American Public Health Association (APHA) Disability Section. This national award recognizes emerging scholars committed to advancing disability and health equity. In addition […]
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Qusay Hussein on World Refugee Day
Dr. Qusay Hussein was a valued friend and collaborator of the WashU GRID Lab through his close work with Mustafa Rfat, a PhD candidate in social work. From the start of Rfat’s dissertation, Dr. Hussein served as a dedicated member of the Community Advisory Board, ensuring the research remained grounded in the lived experiences of […]
New Publication in The Lancet Highlights Urgent Gaps in U.S. Refugee Policy
Mustafa Rfat, a graduate student with the Global Research on Inclusion and Disability (GRID), co-authored a correspondence in The Lancet alongside Dr. Jean-François Trani, Dr. Ashley Cureton, and Dr. Mansha Mirza. This crucial piece sheds light on the human toll of recent changes in U.S. refugee policies that left many in imminent danger abroad and thousands already […]
Enhancing Safe, Inclusive, and Quality Learning Opportunities and WASH Basic Services for Children, Adolescents, and Youth in Afghanistan’s Underserved Areas in 8 Provinces
GRID’s role, together with NYU colleague Ramesh Raghavan, is conducting a comprehensive study throughout the project cycle to assess the impact of learning delivery and access to educational environments on the well-being of children, adolescents, and youth. Our study evaluates the effectiveness of project activities in enhancing job opportunities and overall well-being, including mental health […]
Celebrating Our Graduates: Congratulations to the Class of 2024
We are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduate students who have completed their programs this semester. Each of you has shown remarkable dedication and perseverance, embodying the spirit and values of Washington University in St. Louis and the Global Research on Inclusion and Disability Lab. As you transition from students to professional contributors […]
Social Determinants of Health and the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
A recent study “Is multidimensional poverty associated to dementia risk? The case of older adults in Pakistan,” published in the journal Innovation in Aging by Jean-François Trani, PhD, Yiqi Zhu, PhD, Soobin Park, MSW, and Ganesh M. Babulal, PhD, OTD. The study found an increasing risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia due to poor social […]
Food Insecurity and Women’s Role in Afghanistan
A recent study done by GRID Labs Faculty members (Drs Yiqi Zhu, Lora Iannotti, Ganesh Babulal) and led by Dr. Jean Francois Trani in collaboration with Drs Rahim Azami, Monib Fazal and Dauod Khuram investigated the association between women’s education, employment, and household food security in Afghanistan. Food insecurity is a persistent issue in Afghanistan, affecting 24 million […]