Research · Grants & Honours · Presentations & Trainings · Publications

Research Interests
  • The role of religion and spirituality in the psychosocial and sexual health of marginalized populations, specifically ethnic minorities, and LGBT populations
  • Culturally responsive mental health practice with marginalized populations
  • Culturally responsive teaching and advising models in higher education
  • Resiliency and self-care practices of social workers

Research Experience

2024 – Present
Project Co-Investigator
Promoting Health Equity Among Underserved Populations Through Culturally Responsive Care.
New Health Investigator Grant funded by Research Nova Scotia.
Project Director: Austin Oswald, PhD, CTRS
2024 – 2025
Project Co-Applicant
Social Work Knowledge Mobilization to Support Vulnerable and Marginalized Nova Scotians in Disaster Settings.
Connections Grant funded by SSHRC.
Project Director: Judy MacDonald, PhD, MSW
2022 – Present
Project Co-Director
Moving forward together: Unsettling racism, silence and violence in health and social services.
Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative funded by SSHRC.
Project Director: Nancy Ross, PhD, MSW
2017 – 2019
Principal Researcher
LGBT Affirmative Ministries in African-American Communities.
Funded by the 2018 Louisville Institute Project Grant for Researchers and the WCU College of Education and Social Work Professional Development Award.
2010 – 2011
Principal Researcher
(Dissertation) The Phenomenon of LGBT Affirming Black Churches and their Response to the HIV/AIDS
Crisis in Black America.
Funded by Boston University School of Social Work Dissertation Fellowship
2007 – 2009
Research Assistant
My Light Project: Multi-cultural Adoptive Youth Living in Gay/Lesbian-headed Households.
PI: Mark Gianino, Ph.D. Funded by Boston University and Clark University
2006 – 2008
Project Coordinator
Understanding the Mentoring Process.
PI: Renée Spencer, Ed.D. Funded by W. T. Grant Foundation.
2005 – 2006
Research Assistant / Treatment Clinician
Psychopathology and Treatment of Compulsive Hoarding.
PI: Gail Steketee, Ph.D. Funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health