- Email:
- ddumayas@indiana.edu
Don Dumayas is a research associate with the Center for Health Equity (CHE) at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Dumayas has many years of training and research experience in the social services and public health. He taught multiple undergraduate courses at Indiana University, Bloomington that covered topics including disability health. Previously, he was a field manager and case manager at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. He worked with families in child protective services. A common focus in his work is improving mental health and substance abuse prevention of families. He also worked with schools and medical providers to ensure that children with disabilities were receiving proper education and healthcare services.
Degrees
- Indiana University School of Public Health – Bloomington, Doctor of Philosophy, Health Behavior, 2016 – Present
- Indiana University, Bloomington, Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics, 2018
- City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health, Master of Public Health, Community Health Education, 2016
- Bates College, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2011
Personal Statement
My interest in working with disability issues is rooted from interest on how to continually improve public health. I believe that every person deserves to live a healthy life and have access to equitable healthcare and education. In my years of work in public health, social work, education, and psychology, I advocated for underserved and vulnerable communities from different backgrounds and disability status. I became better informed about different biopsychosocial models and how they inform policies, treatments, and research. It is through these experiences that my work and research in disability issues continues to evolve to ensure I am promoting efficacious, sustainable, and optimal healthcare systems.
Research Interests
- Mental health and substance abuse prevention
- Access to care
- Social and behavioral determinants of health
- Violence prevention
- Global health
Awards and Honors
- Graduate Fellowship Award, Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health – Department of Applied Health Science, 2018
- International Enhancement Grant, Indiana University Bloomington, 2017
- Bates College: Service Learning Grant, 2011; Senior Thesis Research Grant, 2009