معرفی
Dr. David G. Zelaya is an Assistant Professor at Brown University's School of Public Health (SPH) within the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, serving as Interim Director of the Doctoral Program in Behavioral and Social Health Sciences. He is also a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry and an Affiliated Scientist at Yale University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA). His research focuses on health disparities, intersectionality, and minority stress among marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and sexual/gender minorities, linking these to HIV risk, mental health, resilience, and substance use. He leads an NIH-funded K23 grant developing behavioral interventions for LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals addressing alcohol use through an intersectional lens.
Education:
- PhD in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University
- Psychology Residency at Harvard Medical School’s Cambridge Hospital (Latinx Mental Health Program)
- Fellowship at Brown SPH’s Alcohol Research Center on HIV (ARCH) and Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies (CAAS)
Research Interests: Dr. Zelaya’s work examines how systemic discrimination and intersectional identities impact health outcomes. Key areas include:
- Alcohol use among LGBTQ+ populations
- Racial/ethnic disparities in mental health
- Cultural humility in clinical practice
- Health equity for Latinx communities
Awards & Recognition:
- 2022 Barbara Smith & Jewell E. Horvat Early Career Award for Research on Queer Individuals of Color
- 2022 Loyola University New Orleans Young Alumnus of the Year
- 2020 Multicultural Scholar Award, Division 39 APA
- APA Minority Fellowship Program Alumnus
Teaching & Service: Teaches Introduction to Health Disparities at Brown. Holds leadership roles in national organizations including:
- National Latinx Psychological Association’s Leadership Council (Early Career Representative)
- Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, APA
- Chair-Elect of Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
Labs & Teams: Collaborates with the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies (CAAS) at Brown SPH and the Alcohol Research Center on HIV (ARCH). Active in interdisciplinary teams addressing LGBTQ+ health equity and substance use disparities.
