The Minority Stress & Trauma (MST) Lab conducts research to identify and address the biopsychosocial determinants of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions among trauma-exposed sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations who experience stigma-related stressors based on multiple minoritized identities, have limited access to resources, and remain understudied and underrepresented. 

Our research is guided by three core objectives:

1. Characterizing the biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and mental health comorbidities in SGM populations
2. Identifying multilevel barriers and facilitators of help-seeking and linkage-to-care among trauma-exposed SGM individuals
3. Developing and implementing brief, evidence-based interventions—both in-person and web-based—to reduce comorbid substance use and mental health disorders among trauma-exposed sexual minority cisgender and transgender women, transgender men, and gender-diverse (e.g., nonbinary) people

Through this work, the MST Lab aims to advance scientific knowledge, improve health equity, and inform policy and clinical interventions tailored to the unique needs of SGM communities.