Dr. Prash Naidu, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at CCNY, leverages his rich cultural heritage and unconventional academic path to challenge systemic inequities through research and advocacy. His work spans environmental health, medical anthropology, and justice, focusing on how pollution and social stressors affect marginalized communities.
A Journey Shaped by Heritage and Experience
Growing up in Singapore as part of a South Asian-Polynesian family, Dr. Naidu’s academic and professional trajectory was deeply influenced by his cultural roots. His path, much like many CCNY students, was non-linear—balancing work, studies, and self-discovery. After earning his PhD in Anthropology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 2019, he spent the past five years on the East Coast, bringing a blend of Midwestern pragmatism and East Coast dynamism to his research and teaching.
Finding Passion in Environmental and Health Justice
Dr. Naidu’s passion for environmental justice stems from firsthand experiences of environmental inequities. Witnessing the effects of rapid urbanization in Singapore and conducting fieldwork in Timor-Leste communities affected by oil and gas extraction, he saw how pollution disproportionately impacted structurally marginalized populations. His early work—addressing farm runoff pollution in rural Minnesota, tracking respiratory health challenges in urban Philadelphia, and using GIS mapping to detect pollution in Timor-Leste—cemented his commitment to tackling environmental disparities.
Innovative Research for Systemic Change
His research focuses on the cumulative impact of environmental and social stressors, such as air quality and heat, on health equity. Using sensory and embodied research methods, he engages in community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) to explore how pollution affects daily life. Collaborations with organizations like South Bronx Unite highlight his dedication to merging scientific inquiry with community advocacy.
Recently, Dr. Naidu secured a three-year Mellon Foundation grant, working alongside CCNY colleagues Yana Kucheva and Debbie Cheng. This project employs multimodal storytelling methodologies to amplify the voices of those most affected by environmental injustice in the South Bronx. Additionally, as co-PI on an NIH-U54 funded project, he examines how the perceived risk of secondhand smoke exposure influences tobacco treatment engagement among medically underserved cancer patients.
At the core of his work is the GATHER-HEAL Lab, which fosters research, action, and justice in health and environmental studies. Through mentorship, he guides students and recent alumni in using research and advocacy to address environmental disparities.
Joining CCNY and the Colin Powell School
Drawn to CCNY’s commitment to access, equity, and urban challenges, Dr. Naidu transitioned from a liberal arts institution to CCNY to pursue rigorous research while mentoring students. Within the Department of Anthropology and Interdisciplinary Programs, he teaches medical and biological anthropology and climate justice courses, equipping students with critical frameworks to analyze health and environmental disparities.
A key initiative under his leadership is the new Health Justice Minor, designed to prepare students for careers in health and allied fields with a justice-centered perspective. As a strong advocate for anti-assimilationist mentoring, he supports first-generation students in navigating academia while developing research portfolios that align with their values and aspirations.
Looking Ahead: Research, Teaching, and Advocacy
Dr. Naidu’s future plans include expanding the Mellon-funded environmental justice digital platform and community-based air quality initiatives. Completing his Faculty Fellowship Publication Program (FFPP)-supported book manuscript, Sea Change, is a priority, as is integrating sensory and embodied methods into his courses. He also intends to apply for an NIH R21 grant to further investigate environmental and health inequities, building toward an R01-funded project. Strengthening collaborations with South Bronx Unite and increasing student research opportunities remain central to his vision.
The Colin Powell School: A Hub for Transformative Scholarship
For Dr. Naidu, the Colin Powell School represents a dynamic space where faculty and students drive meaningful change. The school’s emphasis on equity-driven scholarship isn’t just rhetoric—it’s embedded in its culture. He sees CCNY as a place where research, advocacy, and mentorship come together to tackle pressing societal challenges in innovative ways.
As CCNY continues to expand its impact, Dr. Naidu hopes to help unlock greater research support, ensuring that faculty and students alike can thrive in their pursuit of justice-driven scholarship. Through his work, he embodies the Colin Powell School’s mission—blending rigorous academic inquiry with community engagement to address today’s most pressing environmental and health challenges.
