Research Projects
Ongoing scholarship in health research.
PREP projects are structured around systematic review and meta-analytic methodologies, designed to produce peer-reviewed output from the ground up.
Published Work
Examples of our research output.
The following manuscripts were produced by PREP members and presented at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC) 2026.
The Right to Thrive: Changing the Narrative on Healthcare Accessibility for the Next Generation
Vedaant Mutha and Sanjay Alagappan · University of Florida
Despite significant advances, healthcare accessibility remains a critical issue driven by socioeconomic, geographic, and structural disparities. This study examines perceived barriers to healthcare access among 198 adults sampled via Amazon Mechanical Turk, exploring how income, insurance status, and transportation limitations shape health-seeking behavior. Findings reveal that insurance and transportation emerged as the most prevalent barriers among low-income individuals, with disparate burden across gender and socioeconomic lines. The study advances a policy framework for equitable healthcare delivery.
Nudging the Needle: Using Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Vaccine Hesitancy Among Healthcare Providers
Isha Patel and Shane Paul · University of Florida
Vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs) represents a significant public health challenge. This meta-analysis synthesizes evidence from randomized controlled trials and observational studies to assess the determinants of hesitancy and the effectiveness of behavioral nudging strategies. Nudging techniques analyzed include reminders, default-option design, social norms messaging, emotional appeal, information framing, and education. Findings demonstrate significant prevalence of hesitancy among Black and Hispanic/Latino HCWs and non-medical ancillary staff. Evidence shows that reminders, default-setting, and social norm interventions are the most effective strategies to increase vaccination rates among HCWs.
Upcoming Projects
Fall 2026 cycle.
TBD — Fall 2026 Project Cycle
New research projects for the Fall 2026 cycle are currently in development. Project applications will launch in August 2026. PREP will recruit Research Associates across literature review, data extraction, manuscript writing, and statistical analysis roles.
Interested in joining a project team?
Project applications open August 2026 — express your interest now.