Alexander Testa

Alexander Testa is an Assistant Professor at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, affiliated with the Center for Health Systems Research, Policy, and Practice. His work focuses on the intersection of criminal justice system involvement and health outcomes, particularly for individuals, families, and communities affected by arrest, conviction, or incarceration. Additionally, he investigates how direct and indirect exposure to crime and violence impacts health.

• Education: PhD in Criminology & Criminal Justice (University of Maryland, College Park), MPP (American University)
• Current Project: Principal Investigator for a NIH-funded hospital-based violence intervention program for firearm violence victims in Houston, Texas

His research spans critical public health domains including Adolescent Health, Behavioral/Mental Health, Injury and Violence, and Social Determinants of Health. Dr. Testa’s work has been published in top-tier journals such as American Journal of Public Health, JAMA Pediatrics, and Criminology, with over 260 peer-reviewed articles to his name.