This spring, twelve Masters of Social Work students who worked on SIG projects as they pursued their degrees graduated from Columbia School of Social Work. Their invaluable work helped us explore the role of AI in research, build community partnerships in the city and state, promote HIV testing and care, and much more.
Hear from some of our students about their experiences at SIG and their plans for what comes next:
Kynzie Clark
I worked on the AI for Social Good and Society initiative under the supervision of James David and Nabila El-Bassel to design survey instruments and review research drafts.
After graduation, I will continue working as a researcher and program associate for the Center for Intimacy Justice combating gender-based digital suppression and censorship.
Kacey Cockett
At SIG, I worked across two major research initiatives, the Perception of Housing Placement (PHP) study and the WINGS projects. As Project Director for the PHP study, I aided the development and execution of an implementation protocol that was not only effective in creating a streamlined procedure to be employed throughout the process, but also successful. I built and finalized the survey tool on Qualtrics, recruited participants, managed all participant payments through GiftBit, and delegated tasks to other study personnel to prevent stagnation in recruitment and data collection efforts. I also conducted extensive research on reentry services across all five of NYC's boroughs, contributing to a living resource guide to support formerly incarcerated individuals who have additional needs outside of housing. For the WINGS projects, I focused on intimate partner violence among Caribbean women and women in Orange County with opioid and substance use disorders. My work included building community partnerships with organizations like Planned Parenthood, presenting to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the NY State Department of Health, leading IRB submissions, and establishing relationships for letters of support and a community advisory board for WINGS Caribbean. During this time, I coauthored a manuscript titled “Intimate Partner Violence Studies in the English-Speaking Caribbean and Diaspora: A Scoping Review” in the academic journal, Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. While this work was not completed during this time, we hope that we can continue to work on this post-graduation as I stay on for PHP into the summer.
I look forward to continuing my research and deepening my impact, particularly for immigrant women, children, and men experiencing intimate partner violence. I plan to continue my work with the PHP study into the summer, not simply to evaluate outcomes, but to use the findings from both the participant surveys and interviews, as well as feedback from service provider staff, to actively petition for meaningful, data-driven change. My ultimate goal extends beyond publishing research. I want to use the data to advocate for concrete policy reforms and budget allocations that center those who are too often unheard and underserved. Research, for me, is only as valuable as the real-world change it drives.
Ethan Freedman
At the Social Intervention Group, I conducted interdisciplinary research on human connection, technology, health, and wellbeing, contributing to projects that inform policy and practice. I supported Elwin Wu and the gAyI Lab through work translating complex findings on AI in high stakes contexts like mental health and social work into action insights. My work also contributed to emerging evaluation frameworks assessing how AI systems respond to sensitive topics of health education and human sexuality. Through this experience, I strengthened my analytical, writing, and research skills while working at the intersection of social work, technology, and public health.
While I hope to keep working with SIG in other ways, I aim to move into work in human connection, technology, and care in a way that blends research, clinical training, and innovation. I want to build toward becoming a clinical while working in settings that offer strong supervision and continued education in areas of sexual health, trauma, addiction, and mental health. At the same time, I hope to stay engaged in evaluating and shaping emerging technologies (especially AI and digital platforms) that impact human connection, intimacy, and wellbeing. Longer term, I hope to channel energy towards platforms that bridge research, discourse, and ethical human centered innovation in health education and human connection.
Foxx Hart
At SIG, I worked on TechMPower, a hybrid Type-II trial of evidence-based practices and implementation strategies for HIV, SUD, and OUD among individuals who are incarcerated. I also consulted on study design and data analysis plans for various other initiatives.
I'm starting a job as a psychotherapist post-graduation, but fully intend to stay in research long-term. My interests include causal inference and electronic health records; please reach out if there's something you think we can collaborate on!
ZY Wang
Within SIG, I worked with P3 and WINGS, and it was such a rewarding and unique experience. I learned and contributed. I promoted HIV care among the Afro-Latino queer community. I contributed to the WINGS materials and hoped my efforts would benefit women globally.
I plan to stay on the public health track and educate my queer community.
We also acknowledge the hard work of our other graduating students, Filipa Costa, Zachary Guss, Yitao Liu, Shimeko Philippov, Chris Ramirez, Bineta Sarr, and Sofia Zografos.
Congratulations to all our new grads, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.