Laura Graham Holmes

Laura Graham Holmes is a researcher affiliated with the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, CUNY. She holds a doctoral degree (Dr.) and is the recipient of the NIH K23 Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award from NIMH, which supports her work in developing psychosocial interventions for autistic adults, particularly those identifying as sexual or gender minorities. Her research focuses on improving mental health and quality of life for marginalized autistic populations, addressing disparities in healthcare access, and reducing co-occurring mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Her current project, the ALIVE intervention, is co-designed with sexual and gender minority autistic individuals to address minority stress through an online psychoeducation program. This initiative emphasizes community engagement, ethical data practices, and clinical trial design. Dr. Graham Holmes collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of eight mentors and advisors, leveraging expertise from social work, public health, and disability studies. She also actively involves autistic individuals in all phases of research, including intervention development and dissemination.

• Research Interests: Autism spectrum disorders, LGBTQ+ mental health, healthcare disparities, minority stress, community-based interventions, and sexual/reproductive health equity.
• Key Projects: ALIVE intervention, SkillFlix video library for autistic youth, and formative research on sexuality education for neurodivergent populations.

Her scientific awards include the NIH K23 grant, which underscores her commitment to translational research bridging clinical practice and population health. Dr. Graham Holmes’ work is driven by a mission to center the voices of marginalized communities in research and policy, ensuring interventions are both effective and culturally affirming.