Amy Jessop, PHD, MPH, is Director of Research. Dr. Jessop has extensive experience designing and conducting community-based research and service projects. Prior to joining PPP, she served on PPP’s Board of Directors for more than 15 years and developed its Research Committee. She also served on or chaired IRB committees within several universities. These experiences may be helpful to external researchers as they plan projects with PPP.
Dr. Jessop’s research has been concerned with adult immunization, viral hepatitis prevention and treatment, and adaption and implementation of prevention and care guidelines. She received her BS in Microbiology from Penn State, and MPH in Epidemiology/Quantitative Methods from UMDNJ/RWJ Medical School, and PhD in Health Studies from Temple University.
Selected publications and presentations:
Lent M, Botches D, Gurdigiel C, Callahan H, Gilroy L. The Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Manualized Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in a Community-Based Public Health Organization. Accepted for presentation at College for Problems in Drug Dependence (CPDD) Scientific Meeting, 2025. New Orleans, LA.
Azzoni L, Goldman A, Jessop A, Mounzer K, Benitez J, Montaner L. Polysubstance Use Results in a Distinct Metabolic Pathways Activity Profile. Accepted for presentation at College for Problems in Drug Dependence (CPDD) Scientific Meeting, 2025. New Orleans, LA.
Azzoni L, Sovereign A, Holbert R, Hiserodt E, Fair M, Ellison R, Denis C, Jessop A, Mounzer K, Metzger D, Gerona R, Montaner L. LC-QTOF/MS Analysis of Plasma Samples Confirms Widespread Multi-class Polydrug use in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Presented at College for Problems in Drug Dependence (CPDD) Scientific Meeting, 2024 Montreal.
Kelly PJA, Jessop AB, Scialanca M, et al. Psychosocial Impact of Suspected Xylazine-Associated Skin Wounds Among People Using Fentanyl, Philadelphia, 2022 to 2023.Substance Use & Addiction Journal. 2024;46(2):347-356.
Zovich B, Freeland C, Moore H Sapp K Qureshi A, Holbert H, Zambrano Bhangoo D, Hass R, Jessop AB. Dismantling barriers to hepatitis B and delta screening, prevention, and linkage to care among the PWUD community in Philadelphia. Viruses. 2024; 16: 628.
Alexandra Sumner, B.S.
Alex Sumner serves as a Health Equity Research Assistant in PPP’s Research and HepTREC Department. She engages in project design decisions, participant recruitment, data collection and management, data analysis, and reporting for PPP’s research and evaluation activities.
Alex’s interests include neuroscience and addiction medicine. She also is a member of a certified therapy dog team which volunteers with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated with distinction with a B.S. degree in neuroscience from Yale University where she also served as a research assistant in the Powers Lab.
Andrea Peralta Gritt, MS, MPH
Andrea serves as an associate working on process improvement and evaluation at PPP. Her primary focus is improving procedures and processes to enhance and streamline linkage to medical and social services within and among PPP’s settings and programs.
Andrea brings expertise in staff and project management and program coordination to the Research Team. Andrea holds a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Arizona, an MPH from Emory University, and Master of Biomedical Sciences from Drexel University. In addition to her work with PPP, Andrea is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree at Drexel University.