Eric Benotsch

Eric Benotsch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. His work focuses on substance use disorders, HIV prevention, and mental health disparities affecting gender and sexual minority populations. He employs both genetic and environmental frameworks to understand prescription drug misuse and has developed interventions targeting structural determinants of health vulnerabilities.

• Education: Ph.D. from the University of Iowa (1998)

Dr. Benotsch's research explores the intersection of discrimination, mental health, and substance use in transgender and gender-diverse adults. He leads projects examining microeconomic interventions to improve financial stability and reduce HIV risk among transgender women, as well as genetic studies using twin samples to assess prescription drug misuse.

His publications highlight trends in prescription drug abuse, pandemic-related behavioral shifts, and interventions for medically underserved populations. Recent work addresses vaccine hesitancy, telehealth dynamics, and structural determinants of health inequities.

• Scientific Awards
  • Outstanding Scholarship Award, VCU Psychology Department (2016)
  • Outstanding Service Award, VCU Psychology Department (2012)

Dr. Benotsch teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Health Psychology, including research colloquia and courses on abnormal psychology and research methods. His methodological expertise includes qualitative assessment, structural equation modeling, and community-based participatory research.