Arnab Mukherjea, DrPH, MPH Faculty Profile

Arnab's applied research interests broadly revolve around using community-engaged methods to understand and address health disparities among understudied Asian & Pacific Islander (API) subgroups, with a particular focus on contextual and culturally-framed risk factors. His current studies include examining facilitators and barriers for colorectal cancer screening among diverse South Asian subgroups in Northern California, and translation of findings into effective interventions (funded as a pilot project by National Institute of Aging via subaward from the Rutgers University Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR).  He is more broadly exploring the various social, cultural, historical, migratory, and generational traumas that influence indices of health among diverse South Asian subgroups (funded as a pilot project by National Institute of Aging via subaward from the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities at the University of California, San Francisco).  His postdoctoral and graduate research focused on understanding the myriad factors influencing unique forms of tobacco use among South Asians in the United States, and their contribution to tobacco-related disease in this population (including disproportionate burdens of cancer), which will be ultimately valuable for comprehensive and targeted intervention strategies.

• Postdoctoral Training: University of California, San Francisco & University of California, Davis
• Doctor of Public Health (DrPH): University of California Berkeley
• Master of Public Health (MPH): University of California, Berkeley
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): University of California, Berkeley

Peer-Reviewed Publications
Primary Research Agenda

Raman P, Chu CT, Chong SK, Mukherjea A, Kue J. Assessing Structural Racism Measures on Health Outcomes of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders: A Scoping Review. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. 2024; ePub ahead of print.

Mukherjea A, Shariff-Marco S, Yang J, Tseng W, Palaniappan L, Li J, Ivey SL, Somsouk M, Gomez SL Determinants of colorectal cancer screening among South Asian Americans. Journal of Asian Health. 2022;1(2).

Sharma AE, Khosla K, Potharaju K, Mukherjea A, Sarkar U.  COVID-Associated Misinformation Across the South Asian Diaspora: A Qualitative Study of WhatsApp Messages. JMIR Infodemiology. 2023;  3: e38607.

Rao M, Bar L, Yu Y, Srinivasan M, Mukherjea A, Li J, Chung S, Venkatraman S, Dan S, Palaniappan L. Disaggregating Asian American Cigarette and Alternative Tobacco Product Use: Results from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2006-2018. Journal of Racial & Ethnic Health Disparities. 2022;9(3):  856-864

Guan A, Mukherjea A. Appropriate Use of “Asian American” Demographic Category in Health Disparities Research. American Journal of Public Health. 2021;111(6):  e15-e16.

Yusuf Y, Misra S, Singh S, Malhota G, Khan S, Tankasala N, Mukherjea A.  Unmasking an Invisible Community: Unique Influences on and Consequences of COVID-19 among South Asians in the United States.  AAPI Nexus Journal: Policy, Practice, and Community. 2020;17(1&2).

Mukherjea A, Ali S, Smith JA. A Human Rights Perspective on Palliative Care: Unraveling Disparities and Determinants among Asian American Populations. Topics in Language Disorders. 2020;40(3):  278-296.

Mukherjea A, Ansari ZK, Kumar SS, Katyal S, Sahota D, Handa R, Ivey SL. Preliminary Evaluation of Educational Outreach to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening among South Asians in the San Francisco Bay Area. Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health. 2020;22:  873–877.

Khosla N, Washington KT, Mukherjea A, Aslakson R. Health-Care Providers’ Perspectives on Decision-Making Among Seriously Ill Patients of South Asian Origin in the United States. Journal of Palliative Care. 2019;34(3):  181-188.

Mukherjea A, Modayil MV, Tong EK. Moving Toward a True Depiction of Tobacco Behavior Among Asian Indians in California: Prevalence and Factors Associated With Cultural Smokeless Tobacco Product Use. Cancer. 2018;124 (Suppl 7):  1607-1613.

Ivey SL, Mukherjea A, Patel A, Kapoor N, Rau S, Kazi E, Bhatia J, Somsouk M, Tseng W. Colorectal Cancer Screening Among South Asians: Focus Group Findings on Attitudes, Knowledge, Barriers and Facilitators. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 2018;29(4): 1416-1437.

Needham BL, Mukherjee B, Bagchi P, Kim C, Mukherjea A, Kandula NR, Kanaya AM. Acculturation Strategies and Symptoms of Depression: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 2018; 20(4):  792–798.

Mukherjea A, Ivey SL, Shariff-Marco S, Kapoor N, Allen L. Overcoming Challenges in Recruitment of South Asians for Health Disparities Research in the United States. Journal of Racial & Ethnic Health Disparities. 2017;5(1):  195-208.

Needham BL, Mukherjee B, Bagchi P, Kim C, Mukherjea A, Kandula NR, Kanaya AM. Acculturation Strategies Among South Asian Immigrants: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 2017;19(2):  373-380.

Hrywna M, Lewis MJ, Mukherjea A, Banerjee SC, Steinberg MB, Delnevo CD. Awareness and Use of South Asian Tobacco Products Among South Asians in New Jersey. Journal of Community Health. 2016;41(6): 1122-1129.

Mukherjea A, Modayil MV, Tong EK. Paan (pan) & paan (pan) masala should be considered tobacco products. Tobacco Control. 2015;24:  e280-e284

Jih J, Mukherjea A, Vittinghoff E, Nguyen TT, Tsoh JY, Fukuoka Y, Bender MS, Tseng W, Kanaya AM. Using appropriate body mass index cut points for overweight and obesity among Asian Americans.  Preventive Medicine. 2014;65: 1-6.

Mukherjea A, Wackowski OW, Lee YO, Delnevo CD. Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Tobacco Use Patterns. American Journal of Health Behavior. 2014;38(3): 362-369.

Mukherjea A, Underwood KC, Stewart AL, Ivey SL, Kanaya AM. Asian Indian Views on Diet and Health in the US: The Importance of Understanding Cultural and Social Factors to Address Disparities. Family & Community Health. 2013;36(4): 311-323.

Mukherjea A, Modayil MV. Culturally Specific Tobacco Use and South Asians in the United States: A Review of the Literature and Promising Strategies for Intervention. Health Promotion Practice. 2013;14(5 Suppl): 48S-60S.

Mukherjea A, Modayil MV. Exclusion of US studies examining social contexts of South Asian tobacco use hampers comprehensive intervention strategies. Public Health. 2013;127(1): 99-100.

Lee YO, Mukherjea A*, Grana R. Hookah steam stones: smoking vapour expands from electronic cigarettes to waterpipes. Tobacco Control. 2013;22(2): 136-137.
*co-first author

Mukherjea A. Tobacco industry co-optation of culture? Converging culturally specific and mainstream tobacco products in India. Tobacco Control. 2012;21(1): 63-64.

Mukherjea A, Morgan PA, Snowden LR, Ling PM, Ivey SL. Social and cultural influences on tobacco-related health disparities among South Asians in the USA. Tobacco Control. 2012;21(4): 422-428.

Palaniappan LP, Mukherjea A, Holland A, Ivey SL. Leading Causes of Mortality in Asian Indians in California. Ethnicity and Disease. 2010;20(1): 53-57.

Faculty Mentorship

Rafizadeh E, Morewitz SM, Mukherjea A. Handwritten Journals for Supporting Behavior Change among University Students. The International Journal of Health, Wellness, and Society. 2021;11(1):  143-157.

Methodological Consulting

Bentley TG, Cohen JT, Elkin EB, Huynh J, Mukherjea A, Neville TH, Mei M, Copher R, Knoth R, Popescu I, Lee J. Measuring the Value of New Drugs: Validity and Reliability of 4 Value Assessment Frameworks in the Oncology Setting. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy. 2017;23(6-a Suppl):  S34.

Bentley TGK, Cohen JT, Elkin EB, Huynh J, Mukherjea A, Neville TH, Mei M, Copher R, Knoth R, Popescu I, Lee J, Zambrano JM, Broder MS. Validity and Reliability of Value Assessment Frameworks for New Cancer Drugs. Value in Health. 2017;20(2): 200-205.

Book Chapters in Peer-Reviewed Edited Volumes
Mukherjea A, Modayil MV, Banerjee S, Ulpe R. South Asian Tobacco Use in the United States. In: Health of South Asians in the United States: An Evidence-based Guide for Policy and Program Development.  Abingdon, UK:  Taylor & Francis Group.  March 2017.

Mukherjea A, Green LW, Kahan S. Tobacco. In: Kahan S, Gielen A, Fagan P, Green LW (eds). Health Behavior Change in Populations:  The State of the Evidence and Roles for Key Stakeholders. Baltimore, MD:  Johns Hopkins University Press. October 2014.

Formal Reports / Monographs / Policy Briefs
Mukherjea A, Bawa J, Chan CM, Bazaz N. Conference Proceedings:  Asian American Health Conference 2009- A Time for Change, Transforming Opportunities into Action. Asian American Health Initiative (Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services), Rockville, MD. November 2009.

Mukherjea A, Parikh P. Policy Brief:  Tobacco and South Asians. South Asian Network, Artesia, CA. Asian-Pacific Islander Tobacco Education Network (APITEN); Asian-Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF). January 2004.

Franks P, Greene N, Mukherjea A, Chapman S. Allied Health:  1970s-2000s-  A Review of Key Reports. The Center for the Health Professions; University of California, San Francisco, CA. September 2002.

Franks P, Chapman S, Nowicki M, Mukherjea A. Trends, Issues, and Projections of Supply and Demand for Nursing Aides and Home Health Care Aides. The Center for the Health Professions; University of California, San Francisco, CA. March 2002.

Department of Public Health (formerly Health Sciences)
Department Chair (2021 - current)
Member; Committee on Equity (2020 - current)
Chair; Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Committee (2020 - 2021)
Chair; Lecturer Review Committee (2020 - 2021)
Chair; Tenure-Track Faculty Search Committee (2019 - 2020; 2015 - 2016)
Coordinator; Problem-Based Learning Capstone Experience (2019 - 2021)
Member; Five-Year Academic Review Committee (2019 - 2021)
Member; Department Chair's Advisory Committee (2018 - 2021)
Member; Committee on Faculty (2019 - 2021)
Member; Tenure-Track Faculty Search Committee (2014 - 2020)
Faculty Lead; Concentration in Public Health (2016 - 2020)
Acting Department Chair (2019)
Chair; Committee on Faculty (2017 - 2019)
Chair; Committee on Faculty [previously Subcommittee on Faculty Affairs] (2016 - 2019)
Diversity Advocate; Tenure-Track Faculty Search Committee (2016 - 2019)
Member; Curriculum Subcommittee (2016 - 2018)

College of Science
Member; Data Science Task Force (2022 - 2023)
Member; Associate Dean for Student Equity & Success Selection Committee (2022)
Co-Chair; Committee on Recommendations for A2E2 Funding Allocation (2020)
Member; Committee on Educational Effectiveness (2016 - 2019)
Member; Departmental Separation Committee (2016 - 2018)
Member; Research Task Force (2016 - 2018)

California State University, East Bay
College of Science Faculty Representative; Provost Search Committee (2024 - present)
Member; Institutional Review Board (2024 - present)
Member; Grade Appeal and Academic Grievance Committee (2023 - present)
Member; Office of Accessibility Advisory Commitee (2023 - present)
College of Science Faculty Representative; A2E2 Advisory Board (2022 - present)
Faculty Mentor; Center for Student Research (2016 - present)
Advisory Board Member; Center for Community Engagement (2019 - present) [including; Member; Leadership Committee (2020 - present)]
Member; University Administrative Review Committee (2021 - 2023)
Member; College of Health Implementation Task Force (2022 - 2023)
Co-Chair; Fifth College Feasibility Task Force (2021 - 2022)
Member; Space Advisory Committee (2020 - 2021)
Member; Faculty & Staff Housing Task Force (2019 - 2022)
Chair; Committee on Academic Planning & Review (2020 - 2021) [including Member; Subcommittee on Assessment of Institutional Learning Objectives (2020 - 2021)]
Member; Committee on Academic Planning & Review (2019 - 2021)
Faculty Advising Fellow; Office of Academic Programs & Services / Office of Semester Conversion (2017 - 2019)
Member; Advising Council; Office of Academic Programs & Services [previously Student Advising Subcommittee, Office of Semester Conversion] (2017 - 2019)
Member; Honorary Degrees Committee (2017 - 2019)
Faculty Representative for Assesment Subcommittee; Council on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (2016 - 2019)
Member; Committee on Instruction & Curriculum (2015 - 2019) [including Member; Subcommittee on Service Learning (2019 - present)]
Interim Director; University Honors Program (2018)
Faculty Representative; Asian & Pacific Islander Faculty Staff Association (2014 - 2018)
Member: Quantitative Institutional Learning Objective Rubric Development Committee (2016)

California State University
Faculty Fellow for the Health Professions (2023 - present)
Faculty Discipline Review Group Member (2023 - present)
External Reviewer; Tenure & Promotion Committees (2022 - present)
Member; Health Sciences (Health Policy) Consortium (2015 - 2016)
Representative; Institute for Palliative Care (2015 - 2016)

Media Representation

Scheier R. California’s Proposed Flavored Tobacco Ban Gives Hookah a Pass. Kaiser Health News (republished in San Francisco Chronicle.. November 3, 2022. https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/proposed-flavored-tobacco-ban-hookah/ and https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/flavored-tobacco-hookah-17553878.php

del Castillo A. Study shows increase in anxiety, depression in California schoolkids among biggest in US. ABC 7 News. August 8, 2022. https://abc7news.com/kids-mental-health-back-to-school-depression-anxiety-in-children/12110984/

Asimov N. S.F. all but gives up on contact tracing for monkeypox. San Francisco Chronicle. August 8, 2022. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/S-F-all-but-gives-up-on-contact-tracing-for-17360529.php

Wilson L. Monkeypox – Should Students Be Worried? The Pioneer. June 15, 2022. https://thepioneeronline.com/46531/health/monkeypox-should-students-be-worried/

Magallon S. 328 Stanford Students Isolated After Testing Positive for COVID. NBC Bay Area. May 11, 2022. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/south-bay/328-stanford-students-isolated-after-testing-positive-for-covid/2888167/

Asimov N. Second COVID boosters OKd: Should people 50-plus get one right away, or wait? San Francisco Chronicle. March 29, 2022. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Government-says-people-age-50-and-older-now-can-17036252.php

Thomas C. California State University Requires COVID-19 Booster for Spring 2022. The Pioneer. February 2, 2022. https://thepioneeronline.com/45630/health/california-state-university-requires-covid-19-booster-for-spring-2022/

Wang J. Q&A: Doctor Addresses COVID-19 Concerns Amid Omicron Surge. NBC Bay Area. January 12, 2022. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/coronavirus/qa-doctor-addresses-covid-19-concerns-amid-omicron-surge/2776929/

Kiese L. Back to School Plans Amid COVID-19 Surge. CBS SF Bay Area. January 4, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX1NzaLlZKM

Sze K. CSU on COVID-19 booster shot for faculty, staff and students. ABC 7 News. December 22, 2021. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=713194689630380.

Echeverria D. What side effects to expect from your COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. San Francisco Chronicle. September 21, 2021. https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/What-can-you-expect-from-your-COVID-19-vaccine-16428816.php

Asimov N. Here’s why California has the lowest COVID rate in the nation. San Francisco Chronicle. September 18, 2021. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Here-s-why-California-has-the-lowest-COVID-rate-16468706.php

Thadani T, Kadvany E. Mayor London Breed criticized by health experts for going maskless in S.F. club: ‘lapse in judgment’. September 17, 2021. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Mayor-London-Breed-criticized-by-health-experts-16468495.php

 Krans B. ‘We are in a race’: with delta variant cases spiking, Oakland continues vaccination push. Oaklandside. August 6, 2021.  https://oaklandside.org/2021/08/06/delta-variant-cases-spiking-oakland-covid-19-vaccination/

Krans B. Risks of the Delta Variant for Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated People. Healthline. August 5, 2021. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/risks-of-the-delta-variant-for-vaccinated-vs-unvaccinated-people#The-vaccines-and-the-Delta-variant

Walker W. COVID: San Francisco's City Employee Vaccine Mandate Is Not A First In America. CBS Bay Area. July 27, 2021. https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/covid-san-franciscos-city-employee-vaccine-mandatory-vaccinations-delta-variant/

Sanad M. The Delta Variant and CSUEB’s Upcoming Fall Semester. The Pioneer. July 7, 2021. https://thepioneeronline.com/44035/campus/the-delta-variant-and-csuebs-upcoming-fall-semester/

Javed F. New study finds South Asian New Yorkers are disproportionatley affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ticker. February 6, 2021.  https://theticker.org/2823/science/2021-2-5-new-study-finds-south-asian-new-yorkers-are-disproportionately-affected-by-the-covid-19-pandemic/

Ramachandran V. South Asian, Chinese New Yorkers among the hardest hit by Covid, study shows. NBC News.Dec. 17, 2020.  https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/south-asian-chinese-new-yorkers-among-hardest-hit-covid-study-n1251457

Ramachandran V. South Asians face disproportionately higher risks of heart disease, other cardiovascular ailments. Washington Post. Nov. 15, 2020.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/asian-american-heart-disease-risk/2020/11/13/3a6c8f18-236a-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html

Welna, D. Self-Isolation Orders Pit Civil Liberties Against Public Good in Coronavirus Pandemic. National Public Radio. February 17, 2020. https://www.npr.org/2020/03/17/817178765/self-isolation-orders-pit-civil-liberties-against-public-good-in-coronavirus-pan

--. A Presidential Search: California State University presidential search advisory board holds open forum. East Bay Today. February 3. 2020. https://www.ebtoday.com/stories/a-presidential-search

Stephens, S. Tobacco Use Varies Widely Among Asian and Pacific Islanders in US. Health Behavior News Service. April 17, 2014.  https://www.newswise.com/articles/tobacco-use-varies-widely-among-asian-and-pacific-islanders-in-u-s?sc=rsmn

Brewer, A. Researchers Link Reduced Health Risks With Weekly Church Attendance. The Daily Californian. April 2, 2002.  https://archive.dailycal.org/article.php?id=8160