Jamaal Fridge

Research Operations Manager

jwmfridge@uchicago.edu

Jamaal Fridge is the Research Operations Manager, who joined in 2023. He was an English teacher in Chongqing, China for six years until 2020. When COVID-19 broke out, he returned to Chicago to lead the COVID-19 Street Outreach operation at the University of Illinois Chicago. Through consistent outreach, effective messaging, and community partnerships, the team’s work quickly reduced the positivity rate in hard-hit neighborhoods in the city like West Garfield Park.

Shortly after, Jamaal turned to the research field, working in UIC’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). During this time, he studied project management, and soon joined CEHD to put his new skills to use. In his spare time, Jamaal writes books, and is currently working on a religious middle-grade novel series. Jamaal graduated from Calvin University with a B.A. in business administration.