Syeda S. Jesmin

Dr. Syeda S. Jesmin is a Professor of Sociology in the Department of Criminal Justice & Sociology at the University of North Texas at Dallas. Her research focuses on social determinants of health, health disparities, and social inequalities, with emphasis on policy-relevant interventions for disadvantaged communities, at-risk populations, and racial minorities.

Dr. Jesmin holds a Ph.D. in Medical Sociology and a Master of Public Health (MPH). Her educational background forms the foundation for examining upstream causal factors in population health through interdisciplinary lenses.

Her scholarly work centers on how social disadvantages and structural inequalities drive health outcomes, spanning sociology, public health, criminal justice, gender studies, and social psychology. She produces actionable knowledge for local, national, and international health interventions, with publications in journals including Substance Use & Misuse, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, and Culture, Health & Sexuality.

As Principal Investigator on grants totaling over $1 million, she currently directs the HOPE project ($625,000 SAMHSA grant, 2022-2027) implementing Mental Health First Aid training across the DFW Metroplex, and previously led the STRONG suicide prevention program ($303,000 SAMHSA grant, 2019-2022). She serves as an Expert Reviewer for NSF and CIHR while actively engaging communities through conference presentations and media collaborations.

Dr. Jesmin teaches high-evaluation courses including Sociology of Health and Illnesses, Mental Health Sociology, and Urban Health Issues. Her grant initiatives involve interdisciplinary community partnerships addressing mental health and suicide prevention through the HOPE and STRONG programs.