The award will help Leubner, who is entering her third year at Quinnipiac’s Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, with her research project, “Health Needs Assessment of Unhoused and Marginally Housed People in New Haven, Connecticut During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

“I have been conducting interviews about health needs with our unhoused and marginally housed community members with the goal of identifying specific barriers to health and well-being,” Leubner said. “The preliminary findings have already been enlightening. I am hopeful that my research will provide robust insight and practical solutions to these obstacles. Simply put, I want to help solve societal problems that get in the way of healthy, happy lives.”

Leubner said she has completed more than 60 interviews.

“With the support of PUCWB, I now have the resources to increase my study's sample size and grow the impact of my research,” she added. “PUCWB's mission and my research share a common foundation of dignity, engaged citizenship and empowerment. It is extraordinarily meaningful to receive their endorsement, and I am excited to take full advantage of every opportunity that is now possible.”

Julia Fullick-Jagiela, associate professor of management, chair of management and co-director of the People’s United Center for Women & Business, agreed that Leubner’s research aligns with the center’s mission to provide opportunities for women to achieve their professional goals and build a community focused on achieving those goals.

“We are excited to continue our award program and advance women-led community research," Fullick-Jagiela said. “We look forward to seeing the contributions of Megan Leubner's research project, which she will share with our PUCWB community.”

Leubner’s research will result in a submitted article to a peer-reviewed conference or quality journal in 2021-22 and a presentation to the PUCWB community, according to Fullick-Jagiela.

The PUCWB community is comprised of women and their allies committed to lifelong learning who are eager to share with the external community, students, alumni, faculty and staff. The center is devoted to preparing the community for enlightened and engaged citizenship.