Our Team
Executive Director
Tonda Hughes, PhD, RN, FAAN
Henrik H. Bendixen Professor of International Nursing (in Psychiatry); Associate Dean of Global Health
Research Areas of Focus: Sexual Minority Women’s Health, Alcohol Use/Abuse, Violence and Victimization
Co-Director
Walter Bockting, PhD
Professor of Medical Psychology (in Psychiatry and Nursing)
Research Areas of Focus: Identity Development Across the Lifespan, Transgender Health, SGM Aging
Core Members
Billy Caceres, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-BC, FAAN
Assistant Professor
Research Areas of Focus: Psychosocial Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in SGM Populations Across the Lifespan
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Kasey Jackman, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC
Assistant Professor
Research Areas of Focus: Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health Disparities Among SGM People
Cindy Veldhuis, PhD
Associate Research Scientist
Research Areas of Focus: Role of Intimate Relationships in Sexual Minority Women’s Alcohol Use
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Fellows
April Ancheta, MPhil, RN, BSN
PhD Student
Research Areas of Focus: SGM Adolescent Health, Bullying and Obesity-Related Health Disparities
Joseph Belloir, MSC, PMHNP-BC
PhD Student
Research Areas of Focus: SGM Mental Health, Relationship Between Traumatic/Adverse Experiences and Sleep Disturbances in Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals
Lauren Bochicchio, MSW, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Research Areas of Focus: Mechanisms Linking Childhood Sexual Abuse and Hazardous Drinking Among Sexual Minority
Yashika Sharma, RN, MSN
PhD Student
Research Areas of Focus: Impact of Minority Stress on Substance Use and Mental Health of SGM People
Kodiak Soled, RN, MSN
PhD Student
Research Areas of Focus: Social Support Experiences Among SGM+ Childbearing Individuals
Sarah Zollweg, BA, RN, BSN
PhD Student
Research Areas of Focus: Structural Influences on Sexual Minority Women’s Substance Use and Mental Health
Support Staff
Lauren Porsch, PhD, MPH
Project Manager
