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Student Involvement
About Student Involvement in the LGBT Pop Center
The Mentoring and Training Programs of the Center for Population Research in LGBT Health offer opportunities
for training and mentorship to aspiring and junior researchers in the United States. Our mission is to
link promising scholars with the resources they need to improve the reach, quality and methodological rigor
of their research and to prepare them for careers in LGBT health and population science. We aim to foster
the growth and development of the next generation of scholars in this exciting, interdisciplinary field by
providing opportunities for additional coursework, assistance with independent research, and faculty interaction.
Our programs link scholars with training opportunities in the scientific study of LGBT population groups,
with data resources from a growing archive of LGBT datasets, and with a nationwide network of expert faculty
in LGBT health and population-based research who are available to serve as mentors.
We currently offer two major mentoring and training programs. The Summer Institute in LGBT Population
Health is a 4 week training program open to graduate students and early career scholars. The National
Pre-Doctoral Mentoring Program is a distance mentoring program that links advanced Masters and doctoral
students with LGBT health mentors. Participants may be involved in one or both of these programs and a
separate application process is required for each.
Summer Institute in LGBT Population Health
The Summer Institute in LGBT Population Health is one-of-a kind opportunity to train in LGBT health
research. The LGBT Pop Center annually hosts the Summer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts in July and
August. The Summer Institute provides participants with foundational training in interdisciplinary theory,
knowledge and methods for conducting population research in sexual and gender minority health.
The Summer Institute is held over four weeks on the campuses of Fenway Health and Boston University.
This intensive training program includes a cohort of 12-16 graduate students and 3-6 early career scholars
each year. Program components include:
- a dynamic Cornerstone Seminar in LGBT Health and Social Life that overviews key topics, methods,
and perspectives in the interdisciplinary study of LGBT Health and includes guest lectures from expert
researchers in the field.
- short-course instruction in statistics and quantitative data analysis at the intermediate and advanced-intermediate levels; and
- hands-on training in analysis of LGBT population health data in the Interactive Data Lab.
There is no cost for tuition and slots are available for free housing
in Boston University dormitories during the Institute. The Summer Institute is funded by a grant from
the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (grant number
R25HD064426). Summer Institute sponsors include The Fenway Institute, the Department of Community Health
Sciences at Boston University School of Public Health, and the Inter-University Consortium for Political
and Social Research at the University of Michigan.
The 2012 Summer Institute will be held July 16-August 10. Applications are due April 16, 2011.
Download the 2012
call for applications (PDF 1.2M). For more information, please call 617-927-6348 or email
summerinstitute@lgbtpopcenter.org.
Participants in the 2011 Summer Institute in LGBT Health: (Top row) Eric Grollman, Nicholas Eaton, Robert Coulter, Shandu Foster, Hale Thompson, Michelle Williams, Edward Alessi, Sari Reisner (instructor); (Middle row) Aimee Van Wagenen (instructor), Kristi Gamarel, Nicole VanKim, Tonia Poteat, Larissa McGarrity, Judith Bradford (instructor), Alexa Martin-Storey, Mieke Thomeer; (Front row) Luis Gutierrez-Mock, Ning Hsieh, Amee Schwitters, Mark Williams, Tristan Guarini.
Participants in the 2010 Summer Institute in LGBT Health: (Top row) Jennifer Jabson, L. Zachary DuBois,
Chongyi Wei, Dawn Comeau, Jeremy Grey, Derrick Matthews, Blair Glennon, Andrew Hart. (Second row) Ethan
Mereish, Judith Bradford (Instructor), Timmy Huynh, Sarah Reed, John Blosnich, Justin Smith, Aimee Van
Wagenen (Instructor). (Bottom row) Grant Wesley Farmer, Leah Williams, Eva Woodward, Judith Andersen.
Summer Institute participant Grant Wesley Farmer gives his final presentation at the Fenway Health auditorium. All participants complete independent analysis projects that can form the basis for publishable papers, conference presentations, and/or preliminary data for research proposals. View a list of past research projects (Word 16K).Our pre-doctoral program involves scholars early in their careers in LGBT research, providing help to students as they define their career goals, build their knowledge base about the characteristics of LGBT population groups, and hone their skills in the best and most innovative population-based research methodologies.
Pre-doctoral students selected for the mentoring program are provided the opportunity to be matched with an expert faculty mentor from the Center's nationwide network who will guide and assist them with a project in LGBT population research for a mutually agreed upon length of time. Such mentorship is expected to complement existing graduate training at students' home institutions through long-distance learning and interactions.
The Center coordinates the program, matching students accepted in the program with faculty mentors who have expertise in a field of LGBT health research closely related to the students' interests. Faculty who participate in the Center as mentors have appointments at universities and institutions across the country and represent a broad range of interests and methodological expertise in the study of LGBT population groups.
Students currently enrolled in a doctoral program in the United States and engaged in population research with a focus upon LGBT health and/or same-sex families are encouraged to apply. Outstanding masters' students who are planning to pursue advanced doctoral studies and a career in LGBT population research are also eligible to apply.
For more information about the program, contact Dr. Aimee
Van Wagenen, Program Manager for the Center or
download a brochure about the program (PDF 2.1M).
Applications for the program are accepted on a rolling basis until February 15. Download the application
(DOC 91K;
PDF 67K).
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Oscar Beltran is a PhD student in interdisciplinary health sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso. Oscar is mentored by C. Andres Bedoya and Steven Safren. Oscar is interested in mental health disparities in the Hispanic LGBT community and is developing a proposal to study access & utilization of services among Latino HIV+ men.
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Bethany Coston is a PhD student in sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Bethany is mentored by Kimberly Balsam. In her project, "Health Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence in Queer Relationships'" Bethany will analyze data from the National Violence Against Women survey and will interview victims of intimate partner violence in same-sex relationships about their experiences.
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Zachary DuBois is a PhD student in anthropology at the University of Massachusetts. Zach is mentored
by Dr. Conall O'Cleirigh and Dr. Aimee Van Wagenen. Zachary's project, "Biocultural Perspectives on Gender,
Transitions, Stress, and Immune Function" examines stress and the process of transition for transmen.
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Bethany Everett is a PhD student in sociology, with a specialization in demography and population health,
at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Bethany is mentored by S. Bryn Austin. In her project "Sexual
Identity Development Trajectories and Health," Bethany examines relationships between multiple dimensions
of sexual orientation, change and stability in sexual orientation over time, and mental and physical health
in young adulthood. The major data source for Bethany's work is the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent
Health.
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Dr. Deborah Bowen (mentor) with Grant Wesley Farmer (PhD student in Public Health at Saint Louis University).
Grant is also mentored by Don Allensworth-Davies (not pictured). Grant is investigating cardiovascular disease
in sexual minority men.
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Nicole Finkbeiner is a PhD student in family science at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Nicole is mentored by Dr. Deborah Bowen. Nicole is interested in social support for gay and lesbian
relationships and its relationship to family functioning.
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Carter Lennon is a PhD student in social psychology at the University of Connecticut. Carter is mentored by Alicia Matthews. Carter is developing a theoretical review paper on HIV prevention and factors contributing to HIV risk behavior among sexual minority adolescent females.
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Tonia Poteat is a PhD student in public health, with a specialization in social and behavioral interventions, at John Hopkins University. She is mentored by Walter Bockting. In her project, "Gender & Health - Understanding Access & Risk for Transgender Adults," Tonia is analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, including secondary data from the National Transgender Survey of Discrimination.
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Philip Schnarrs is a PhD student in health behavior, with a specialization in sexual health and health
disparities, at Indiana University. Philip is mentored by Dr. Brian Mustanski. In his project, "Understanding
Health Disparities between Adolescent LGBT students and their Heterosexual Peers," Philip is analyzing data
from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys.
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Matthew Thomann is a PhD student in anthropology at American University. Matthew is mentored by Trish Case. In his project, "Situated Risk and Men Who Have Sex with Men in West Africa," Matthew is studying the intersections between geography, sexuality and HIV-risk in Côte d'Ivoire.
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Dr. Ilan Meyer (mentor) with Dr. John Blosnich (PhD in Public Heath Sciences from West Virginia University, 2011). John's dissertation, "Deconstructing disparity: Examining risk factors related to smoking among sexual minority populations" sought to better understand drivers of sexual minority smoking disparities. Dr. Blosnich is now a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Rochester, where he continues his research on research with sexual minority populations, particularly addressing issues around self-injury and suicidal behavior.
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Dr. Jennifer Jabson (PhD in Public Health from Oregon State University, 2010) with Dr. Deborah Bowen (mentor).
Jennifer's dissertation, "Breast Cancer Survivorship: Contributing Factors for Special Populations" examined
the influence of sexual orientation identity, social support, stress and discrimination on quality of life
for female sexual minority breast cancer survivors. Dr. Jabson is now a postdoctoral fellow in the Department
of Community Health Sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health. Funded by a postdoctoral
fellowship award from the American Cancer Society, Dr. Jabson is now investigating factors that contribute
to cancer screening, chronic disease development and survivorship in heterosexual and sexual minority women.
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Catherine Maulsby (PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, 2010) with Dr. Ken Mayer (mentor). Catherine was also mentored by Trish Case (not pictured). Catherine's dissertation, "Undiagnosed HIV seropositivity and HIV testing among men who have sex with men only and men who have sex with men and women in Baltimore, Maryland" investigated the relationship between bisexual behavior, race, HIV risk and prevention behaviors. Dr. Maulsby is now an Assistant Scientist in the Health Behavior and Society department at Johns Hopkins University.
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Corrine Reczek (PhD sociology from the University of Texas at Austin, 2011). Corrine was mentored by Esther Rothblum. Her dissertation, ""Eat, Drink, and Be Managed: Gendered 'Health Work' in Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Intimate Relationships, " compared the relationship dynamics that drive health behaviors in same-sex and opposite-sex long-term couples. Dr. Reczek is now an Assistant Professor of sociology at the University of Cincinnati.
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Judy Tan (PhD psychology from the University of Connecticut, 2011). Judy was mentored by Jeffrey Parsons. In Judy's dissertation research, she studied sexual decision-making among Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) men who have sex with men, or who are gay-identifying and sexually active. Judy is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS) at the University of California, San Francisco.
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