Sandra Albrecht

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Albrecht is formally trained as a social epidemiologist, with additional training in the social sciences, nutrition, and in both chronic and infectious diseases. She has also previously worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Her research focuses on the socio-cultural and neighborhood-level factors that contribute to the high burden of nutrition-related diseases in US immigrants and among Latinos. Past research projects include using longitudinal and multi-level modeling approaches to investigate the social determinants of diet and weight gain in Latino and Chinese immigrants, and exploring the role of ethnic enclaves in shaping nutrition-related outcomes. Her emerging line of research seeks to understand the social and behavioral mechanisms underlying the high burden of type 2 diabetes and poor control among diverse groups of Latinos, with an emphasis on improving access to quality care, and affordable, healthy food.