Zach Cooper
PhD Student
ABD
Zach Cooper, MSW, LCSW, is a PhD candidate in the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia and a Research Associate at Emory University. With over 8 years of clinical social work practice, he brings a rich clinical perspective to his research agenda. Zach earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Augusta University and his Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, where he was recognized as a Rural Integrated Behavioral Health Scholar.
Zach’s research centers on developing behavioral interventions for integration in healthcare settings to better address the management of chronic and co-occurring conditions including diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disorders, and anxiety. His work is grounded in advanced quantitative methodologies and implementation science, particularly within clinical trials targeting behavioral health interventions. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Association.
Zach has published several peer-reviewed articles and presented multiple papers at national conferences. His work aims to optimize behavioral health interventions and improve equitable access to integrated care models through rigorous implementation and dissemination strategies. His research has been featured in leading journals, including Diabetes Care, Social Science & Medicine, BMC Primary Care, and Diabetic Medicine.