About
Dr. Amer Hamad Issa Abukhalaf is an Assistant Professor at Clemson University’s School of Health Research within the College of Architecture, Arts, and Construction. He holds a Ph.D. in Design, Construction, and Planning from the University of Florida, an MBA from Ashland University, and a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from the Hashemite University in Jordan. His interdisciplinary research focuses on disaster resilience, mental health, and community engagement, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations. Dr. Abukhalaf has led and collaborated on multiple research projects examining the intersections of climate hazards, socioeconomic disparities, and emergency preparedness. His work integrates qualitative and quantitative methodologies to develop community-driven solutions that enhance resilience and mitigate the long-term psychological and financial impacts of disasters. At Clemson University, Dr. Abukhalaf is planning to collaborate with health system partners and emergency management experts to explore the impacts of disasters on mental health and well-being, particularly for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in the Carolinas. His NSF-funded research investigates disparities in post-disaster mental health outcomes in Ohio, while his HUD-supported projects examine housing stability as a cornerstone of disaster resilience in Texas. He is also engaged in partnerships addressing the role of social assistance programs in emergency planning to improve disaster response and recovery efforts. Through his research, teaching, and community engagement, Dr. Abukhalaf strives to bridge the gap between disaster preparedness and public health, fostering innovative and equitable solutions for at-risk populations.
Visit Dr. Abukhalaf's Faculty Profile.
How their research is transforming health care
Dr. Amer Abukhalaf’s research transforms health and healthcare by integrating disaster resilience, mental health, and community-driven approaches to enhance emergency preparedness and recovery strategies. His work focuses on understanding how climate hazards, unstable housing, and socioeconomic disparities influence mental health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations. Through interdisciplinary collaborations with health researchers, policymakers, and emergency management professionals, Dr. Abukhalaf identifies critical gaps in disaster response that impact psychological well-being. His research highlights the urgent need for accessible, community-based mental health support systems in post-disaster settings, addressing the long-term effects of trauma, stress, and substance use. His NSF-funded research on the mental health impacts of tornadoes on disadvantaged communities has revealed significant disparities in coping mechanisms and access to care. Findings from this work inform policy recommendations aimed at integrating mental health services into disaster preparedness initiatives. Similarly, his HUD-funded research on affordable housing solutions underscores the importance of stable housing as a foundation for long-term health and resilience in disaster-prone regions. By advancing research-driven solutions, Dr. Abukhalaf’s work directly contributes to shaping equitable public health strategies that improve disaster response and recovery. His collaborations with Clemson University’s health research partners will aim to develop holistic, interdisciplinary models that bridge gaps in mental health care, housing stability, and emergency management. Through these efforts, his research is driving impactful changes in public health policy and disaster resilience planning.
Health Research Expertise Keywords
Mental Health, Well-being, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, PTSD, Health Disparities, Public Health, Emergency Preparedness, Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Populations, Community-Based Interventions, Trauma and Post-Disaster Recovery
News and related media
Abukhalaf, A. H. I. (2024). Medical Xpress - Resilience and recovery: Navigating mental health challenges in disaster response (doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29156.96648)
Abukhalaf, A. H. I. (2023). Medical Xpress - Disaster response and recovery must include mental health support plan (doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25559.75684).
Abukhalaf, A. H. I. (2022). Science X - Whether it's a hurricane, an active shooter, or a pandemic, we must reconsider campus emergency planning (doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24811.21287)
Abukhalaf, A. H. I., Okhai, R., Naser, A. Y., Von Meding, J., Cohen, S. L., Mehdipour, H., & Abusal, D. M. (2023). International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 96, 103973. - COVID-19 outbreak impact on the wellbeing of migrants in U.S. college towns
Abukhalaf, A. H. I., Naser, A. Y., Cohen, S. L., Von Meding, J., & Abusal, D. M. (2023) - Journal of American College Health, 1–10 - Evaluating the mental health of international students in the U.S. during the COVID-19 outbreak
Abukhalaf, A. H. I., & von Meding, J. (2021) - International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction,55, 102061 - Psycholinguistics and Emergency Communication
Cohen, S., Abukhalaf, A.H.I. (2022) - ACAD Letters, Article 4903 - The Growing Mental Health Crisis Among America’s Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Cohen, S., & Abukhalaf, A. H. I. (2021) - ACAD Letters - Necessity to Plan and Implement Mental Health Disaster Preparedness and Intervention Plans
Cohen, S., Abukhalaf, A.H.I. (2021). ACAD Letters, Article 3621. - COVID-19’s Negative Mental Health Impact Goes Well Beyond Standard At-Risk Populations - Action Needs To Be Taken to Combat Long-term Nationwide Emotional Disruption
Cohen, S., von Meding, D., Abukhalaf, A.H.I. (2021). ACAD Letters, Article 3987 - Successful Pandemic and Disaster Mental Health Preparedness Requires Widespread Community Collaboration
Abukhalaf, A. H. I., Naser, A. Y., Von Meding, J., Cohen, S. L., Mehdipour, H., & Abusal, D. M. (2023) - The 2020 Pandemic Outbreak Impact on the Wellbeing of Short-Term Migrants in Gainesville, Florida: Mixed Method Research Study. Qeios. doi:10.32388/I02S60.2.
2023 Society for Risk Analysis Annual Meeting. Presenter of two posters/studies: 1) “Evaluating the built environment impact on intentions of hurricane preparedness in Florida,” and 2) “The COVID-19 outbreak impact on the mental health of short-term migrants in central Florida college towns.”
2022 Natural Hazards Annual Conferences. Speaker and Co-organizer of a training session titled “Mental Health and Disaster—A Crisis Intervention Roadmap.” || Presenter of three posters/studies: 1) “Studying the impact of housing conditions on hurricane preparedness intentions in Florida,” 2) “Evaluating the mental health of international students during the COVID-19 outbreak,” and 3) Assessing International Students’ Vulnerability to Hurricanes: University of Florida Case Study. || Presenter of research and practice highlights titled “COVID-19 Outbreak Impact on the Well-Being of Migrants in U.S. College Towns.”
