معرفی
Ryan J. Watson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut (UConn). His research focuses on reducing health disparities among sexual and gender diverse (SGD) youth and young adults, emphasizing mechanisms driving inequities in health, school, and community experiences. He has secured over $1 million in NIH funding, including grants R03DA046827 and K01DA047918, and has published over 175 peer-reviewed articles. Key projects include national surveys of 17,000 SGD youth (2017 and 2022), examining substance use, disordered eating, HIV prevention, and intersectional stigma.
Watson’s work highlights protective factors such as parental acceptance, school resources, and LGBTQ+-inclusive policies. His research has been featured in CNN, NPR, and the Washington Post. He holds leadership roles in the Society of Research on Adolescence and edits four journals. His lab website provides free access to publications and datasets, emphasizing open science.
Grants and advising: Watson is actively involved in mentoring PhD students in UConn’s HDFS program, with plans to admit a student for 2026–2027. His grants focus on prevention strategies, PrEP uptake barriers, and intersectional health disparities. He collaborates with diverse teams to address systemic issues affecting SGD youth, including stigma, discrimination, and healthcare accessibility.
