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�����о�Ժ���� faculty have teamed up with (UHS) physicians, combining their skills in data analytics and a knowledge of community healthcare trends to produce new research on issues affecting mental health.

The partnership, which hopes to drive meaningful and lasting change through collaborative research, began in May with a series of workshops involving 15 medical professionals at UHS in �����о�Ժ����.

Each workshop, led by Associate Professor Sumantra Sarkar from the School of Management and Assistant Professor Melissa Zeynep Ertem from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science’s School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, has generated ideas for new publications and developed concepts for grant proposals designed to advance academic knowledge and make a practical impact in the community.

“This collaboration fosters a mutually beneficial relationship that strengthens research, education, clinical practice and community engagement, ultimately leading to improved mental health care,” Zeynep Ertem said. “By pooling our respective strengths and resources, both institutions can create a dynamic ecosystem where innovative research informs evidence-based treatment, future professionals receive comprehensive training and the community benefits from expanded access to high-quality mental health services and outreach initiatives.”

During a recent workshop, Sarkar and Zeynep Ertem discussed potential research subjects, such as the impact of New York state’s marijuana legalization on the number of patients being treated for symptoms associated with cannabis-induced psychosis. They outlined ways �����о�Ժ���� faculty could assist with data collection and shared potential approaches for how to frame the study.

Sarkar added that, after discussions with UHS Director of Psychiatry , this research workshop series will likely become an annual event for new resident physicians at UHS.

“Partnering with �����о�Ժ���� allows us to turn frontline clinical insights into data-driven research that can truly shape the future of mental health care,” Muthukanagaraj said. “This collaboration bridges academic innovation with real-world application, helping us better understand the challenges our patients face and improve outcomes across the community.”