About

The HER Lab is a state-of-the-art facility that uses biomedical tools and techniques to address health disparities. The purpose of our lab is to understand how the lived experiences of marginalized communities affect biological mechanisms in the body. Lab members collect and process human biospecimens, such as saliva, blood, and hair, to generate data aimed at discovering how diseases are caused or worsened by social environmental conditions that are disproportionately experienced by underserved communities. ELISA and quantitative PCR are used to measure biological and environmental markers like cortisol, oxytocin, lead, and telomere length in biospecimens. The lab is also interested in how interventions may help reduce and prevent disease.

The HER Lab offers students the opportunity to “give back” by conducting hands-on research to answer questions relevant to local underserved communities. In the lab, members work to increase their knowledge of ethical laboratory practices and how to engage communities in research. This is done by learning how to collect and analyze biospecimens using culturally sensitive methods, how to use a community-engaged, transdisciplinary approach to formulate and address research questions, and how to share research findings for the greatest benefit to community health.

The HER Lab is open to collaborating with the SF State community, as well as local community partners looking to investigate biomedical questions relevant to health disparities. The lab’s ultimate mission is to work hand in hand with communities in order to bring about health equity.

View our HER Lab video .