Research Focus
Dr. Mercado's research examines the socio-environmental pathways that contribute to health and mental health disparities among Hispanic and other structurally vulnerable populations. This includes understanding and addressing the socio-environmental factors shaped by social systems that exacerbate these disparities, particularly among individuals experiencing housing instability, Hispanics, and historically excluded ethnic populations in the Southwest United States.
About Dr. Micaela Mercado
Dr. Mercado served as the Director of Research at Zone 126 in Astoria, Queens, where she led the organization’s implementation of a cross-system data initiative modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone, a transformative collective impact approach. In 2013, she joined New York University as a Research Associate, focusing on translational research and implementation science. Later, Dr. Mercado was appointed Assistant Commissioner at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), overseeing several city-wide initiatives aimed at reducing mental health disparities. After her tenure at DOHMH, she joined Coordinated Behavioral Care, an independent practice association, where she led research efforts to test innovative programs and approaches to improve clinical outcomes for underserved populations.