Displacement & Health Research Center
“Nothing About Us, Without Us”
First-of-its-kind research center at UC San Diego, diversifying the next generation of scientists in health research.
What We Do
The Displacement and Health Research Center focuses on studying displacement as a social determinant of health.
Our research centers on equity to guide clinical and public health intervention development and guides policies related to displaced populations. Our lab is the first-of-its-kind at UC San Diego to be composed of refugee, first-generation, immigrant, and other under-represented trainees diversifying the next generation of scientists in health research.
We believe in the ethos of “Nothing About Us Without Us” to guide our work and research questions. Our trainees will be future physicians, public health professionals, academics, and social justice advocates devoted to bettering the lives of displaced populations worldwide.
Global Displacement
As forced migration increases at unprecedented rates globally due to conflict, climate change, and raised inequalities, the rates of forced displacement are at all-time high. It is critical to understand the impacts of these trajectories on various health outcomes. Our research centers on equity to guide clinical and public health intervention development and guides policies related to displaced populations.
Our Message to Displaced Children
Our students share their stories and send a message to Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet representing a 10-year-old Syrian refugee. Little Amal has become a global symbol for human rights, particularly those of refugees.
Here is our message to displaced children all around the world
Contact us
To keep up to date with our work, follow us on social media, and check our website!
If you are interested in working with our lab or joining one of our studies please contact us.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Tala Al-Rousan talrousan@health.ucsd.edu.
Lab Manager
Rawnaq Behnam at rbehnam@health.ucsd.edu
UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Dr. La Jolla, CA 92093
Displacement and Health Research Center 