Focus
Autism, intellectual disabilities, mental health, maternal and child health
Biography
Dr. Rumi Agarwal is a maternal and child health disparity researcher at the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work. Her work focuses on enhancing academic, employment, independent living, and social outcomes for young adults with developmental disabilities and exploring the role and well-being of parents caring for these young adults across the lifespan. She aims to address disparities by exploring the intersection of disability, race, and ethnicity.
To support her research goals, Dr. Agarwal has been funded by the FIU-RCMI (U54) Pilot Grant, the Social Security Administration, Analyzing Relationships between Disability, Rehabilitation, and Work (ARDRAW) Small Grant Program and the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (FCSUA). She has been recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Division of MCH Workforce Development (DMCHWD) for her work on autism and is also an active member of the American Public Health Association where she has held several leadership roles. Dr. Agarwal has mentored several undergraduate, and graduate-level students at and outside of FIU, and is dedicated to supporting the development of students and researchers interested in maternal and child health.
Education
- Florida International University, Ph.D., Public Health
- Florida International University, MPH
- Northwood University, MBA
Selected Publications and Research
- Agarwal, R., Heron, L., & Burke, S.L. (2023). Financial Planning among Parents of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 61(3), 211-223. doi:10.1352/1934-9556-61.3.211
- Heron, L. M., Agarwal, R., Becht, K., Roberts-Dahm, D. L., & Burke, S. (2023). Exploring Florida’s Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 36(2), 135-151.
- Heron, L., Agarwal, R., & Burke, S.L. (2023). Mentoring Postsecondary Students with Intellectual Disabilities: Faculty and Staff Mentor Perspectives. Education Sciences, 13(2), 213. doi:10.3390/educsci13020213
- Kirchoff, C., Agarwal, R., Sanchez, M. & Palacios, C. (2022). Factors that "Nudge People Towards the Healthier" Snacks; a Qualitative Study with Student, Faculty, and Staff leaders and Decision-Makers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9(23), 15922. doi:10.3390/ijerph192315922
- Agarwal, R., Wuyke, G., Sharma, U., Burke, S.L., Howard, M., Li, T., Sanchez, M., & Bastida, E. (2022). Stress and Anxiety among Parents of Transition-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Interventions and Scales. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s40489-022-00340-8