Departmental Affiliations
Center & Institute Affiliations
Molly Lasater, PhD ’18, MPH ’14, researches mental health, conflict, and climate change to promote the health of marginalized populations in low-resource settings.
Research Interests
Global health; humanitarian health; climate change; forced displacement, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); gender-based violence; conflict and health
Additional Links
Experiences & Accomplishments
My primary research interest is in understanding the dynamic and multifaceted relationship between climate change, conflict, migration and displacement, and health to inform the development of effective strategies to promote the health and well-being of women and children in humanitarian settings.
Honors & Awards
NIMH Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Awardee, 2016-2018
Cum Laude, Santa Clara University, 2010
Lambda Alpha, Santa Clara University, 2010
Excellence in Anthropology Award, Santa Clara University, 2010
Select Publications
Select publications
Nguyen AJ, Lasater ME, Lee C, Mallawaarachchi IV, Joshua K, Bassett L, Gelsdorf K. Psychosocial support interventions in the context of forced displacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Migr Health. 2023 Jan 30;7:100168. doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100168. PMID: 36816445; PMCID: PMC9932448.
Lasater, M.E., Murray, S.M., Keita, M., Souko, F., Surkan, P.J., Warren, N.E., Winch, P.J., Ba, A., Doumbia, S. and Bass, J.K. (2021), Integrating Mental Health into Maternal Health Care in Rural Mali: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 66: 233-239. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13184
Lasater, M. E., Beebe, M., Warren, N. E., Winch, P. J., Soucko, F., Keita, M., ... & Murray, S. M. (2022). Reliability and validity of a perinatal depression screening instrument in rural Mali. SSM-Mental Health, 100059.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2021.100059
Lasater, M.E., Woldeyes, G.M., Le Roch, K. et al. Lessons learned evaluating the baby friendly spaces program for south Sudanese refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia: strengthening research and programmatic partnerships to address maternal and child health and psychosocial needs in humanitarian emergencies. Confl Health 14, 52 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-020-00299-5
Lasater ME, Beebe M, Warren NE, Souko F, Keita M, Murray SM, Bass JK, Surkan PJ, Winch PJ. (2018). Dusukasi—The Heart That Cries: An Idiom of Mental Distress Among Perinatal Women in Rural Mali. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 42(4), 930-945. DOI: 10.1007/s11013-018-9579-6. PMID: 29696491