Dr. Chiara Acquati has been appointed Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development at the Graduate College of Social Work, effective September 1, 2024.

Dr. Acquati has been an invaluable member of the GCSW faculty since 2016, contributing significantly to our academic community and research profile. Her scholarly work is distinguished by its focus on interpersonal processes that affect the mental health, coping, and well-being of cancer patients and their partners, particularly through translational research that informs dyadic interventions.

Dr. Acquati’s work has been instrumental in driving the University’s research efforts. She has successfully secured funding from prestigious institutions including the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. She was recently awarded a High Priority Area Research Seed Grant, overseen by the VP for Research and the Office of the Provost, to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled tool for monitoring depression and anxiety among racial and ethnic minoritized cancer caregivers. 

Dr. Acquati has played a significant role in curricular development and interprofessional training, and she has been instrumental in developing and teaching research courses in both our master's and doctoral programs. She also extends her expertise to nonprofit organizations and professional societies, serving in advisory and leadership roles. Notably, she is the former Research Director for the Association of Oncology Social Work and currently co-chairs the Health Track for the Society for Social Work and Research Conference.

As Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development, Dr. Acquati will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of our research initiatives, exploring opportunities for team science and connection with other colleges and community partners, and providing guidance and support to faculty members in their scholarly pursuits.

The GCSW looks forward to the many valuable contributions Dr. Acquati will lead in advancing our faculty's research and enhancing the impact of our scholarly endeavors.