Our Team Bios
At the SOCAH Lab, we are proud of our diverse and dedicated team of researchers, each bringing a unique perspective to the study of social connectedness and its impact on mental health, substance use, and overall well-being. Led by Yusuf Ransome, our team combines expertise in public health, mental health, community wellness, and spirituality to drive meaningful research that influences real-world outcomes. Dive deeper into the bios of our team members below to learn more about their backgrounds, contributions, and the passion they bring to advancing health equity through innovative research.
Dr. Yusuf Ransome, DrPH
Raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Ransome grew up watching his grandmother care for neighbors and nurture connection. That foundation shaped his belief in the power of community. Now leading the Society Connectedness and Health Lab at Yale, he combines lived experience, cultural heritage, and academic rigor to explore how social ties influence health. His story is a reminder that meaningful research often begins with personal roots. It is that same spirit that continues to guide the SOCAH Lab’s mission today.
Katelyn Kostakis, MPH
Katelyn Kostakis joined the SOCAH Lab team as a Program Administrator after earning her Master of Public Health from the Yale School of Public Health in May 2024. In her role, she supports strategic initiatives and the dissemination of research through innovative and impactful channels. Katelyn is passionate about expanding community access to public health information and making research more accessible and actionable.
Dr. James Frater MBBS, MPH
Dr. James Frater is a UK-trained medical doctor and incoming PhD student in Public Health at Yale University. He holds a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Harvard and is focused on designing healthcare solutions that bring care closer to where people live, work, and feel most comfortable. His previous policy work includes engaging in international policy as the UK G20 Youth Delegate for Health, Wellbeing & Sport. He also co-authored a book chapter on improving health outcomes in the Caribbean with Professor David Williams and has contributed to a national public health playbook supporting U.S. state health departments in addressing homelessness as a health challenge.
Shazel Muhammad
Shazel Muhammad is Program Manager of the SOCAH Lab, where she ensures the lab’s research findings reach diverse audiences through strategic communications, events, and partnerships. She is also the founder of African Link Initiative, a TEDx speaker, and an international keynote. Shazel is deeply committed to bridging research, practice, and impact, creating systems that translate evidence into transformative, community-driven outcomes across the U.S. and Africa.
Isaac Demuyakor
Isaac Demuyakor is a researcher specializing in community engagement and health outcomes. He employs ethnographic methods and participatory research to inform government interventions. Isaac holds a PhD in Social Medicine and Health Management.
Location
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Public Health, 60 College St, New Haven, CT 06510
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