Derek Iwamoto

Dr. Derek Iwamoto is an Associate Professor specializing in addressing health disparities among underserved racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly African Americans and Asian Americans. His research focuses on socio-cultural factors influencing substance use and mental health, including racial socialization, gender norms, and minority stress. He recently edited the first book on counseling interventions with Asian American men. His work bridges translational research to improve substance abuse treatments for at-risk youth and young adults.

His degrees include a PhD, with a focus on understanding cultural and gender dynamics impacting health outcomes. Key research interests include gender and racial identity development, the role of masculine/feminine norms in substance use, and interventions targeting marginalized populations. He has contributed extensively to understanding health disparities through studies on alcohol use trends, mental health coping mechanisms, and pandemic-related stress among minority groups.

Dr. Iwamoto's publications highlight innovative approaches such as technology-assisted interventions for substance use disorders and culturally adapted assessments like the South African Relationship Functioning Assessment (SARFA). He emphasizes intersectional frameworks, examining how race, gender, and cultural identity intersect to shape health behaviors and outcomes.

His work has been recognized through impactful studies on interventions like 'man therapy' to address suicidal ideation and depression among men, and his research consistently advocates for culturally sensitive mental health practices. He also explores body positivity among Asian Americans and the unique challenges faced by Pacific Islander communities in alcohol-related harms.