Wes Wislar
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSWes' research focuses on mental health disparities of gender-expansive people (transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, agender, two-spirit, intersex, etc.).…
Tyler McCoy Gay
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSTyler's research aims to explore police discrimination and over surveillance practices toward Black men who have sex with men…
Santino Giovanni Camacho
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSQueer and Transgender Pacific Islanders (QTPI) have historically been in the margins of Pacific Islander communities and have endured…
James Green
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSJames is conducting research to empower queer and trans youth of color in their experiences with mental illness and…
Alexis Rowland
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSIn the pursuit of abolishing prisons, Alexis studies prisons, penal policy, and punishment, especially those issues which affect gender…
Natasha D. Williams
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSBroadly, Natasha’s research works to expose and address mental health inequities experienced by marginalized populations. More specifically, her work…
TyKera Marrow
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSThe general mistrust and anticipation of stigmatization that Black Americans feel in general, concerning the medical context and larger…
Sally Ryman
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSTransgender and gender diverse individuals experience multiple disparities in health outcomes and access to care. Transfolk, especially transwomen of…
Hayden Dawes
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSHayden’s research aims to promote the mental health and social well-being of people of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals by…
Elliot Marrow
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSElliot’s research interests lie at the intersection of LGBT health and psychology, with a particular focus on the health…
Daniel Do
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSDaniel believes that mental health care is a right and not a privilege, and that being able to access…
Ariel Nicole Hart, MPH
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSAriel is committed to working toward a world where Black babies and Black birthing people experience holistic wellness and…
Anton L.V. Avanceña
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSSignificant financial and human resources are wasted on ineffective health programs, interventions, and policies; and this waste contributes to…
Kristefer Stojanovski
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSKristefer Stojanovski’s research examines structural causes to health disparities among ethnic, racial, sexual, and gender minorities. During his doctoral…
Matthew Bakko
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSMatthew is interested in making social change processes more equitable. How do differing systems and practices of philanthropy, welfare,…
Kellan Baker
By Nicole Racovites onFOCUSKellan believes that health equity is a core social justice issue. His research interests focus on how he and…
The Program at a Glance
Who is Health Policy Research Scholars for?
Doctoral students from a variety of disciplines—such as urban planning, political science, economics, anthropology, education, social work, geography, and sociology—who are committed to using policy change to advance population health and health equity.
Applicants must be:
- Full-time doctoral students who are starting the second year of their programs in fall 2023 and do not expect to graduate before spring/summer 2026.
- From historically marginalized backgrounds and/or populations underrepresented in specific doctoral disciplines.
- Pursuing a research-focused discipline that can advance a Culture of Health.
- Interested in health policy and interdisciplinary approaches.
What do scholars receive?
- Annual award funding of up to $30,000 for up to four years or until they complete their doctoral program (whichever is sooner).
- Mentoring and training in health policy and leadership.
- Professional ties to public health and policy leaders and innovators from diverse fields.
- Opportunity to compete for an additional dissertationgrant of up to $10,000.
- Membership in a network of scholars and alumni for research and advocacy collaborations.
