Tommy K. Begay

Dr. Tommy K. Begay is a Research Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine. His academic training in Cultural Psychology emphasizes the interplay of culture, biology, and environment in human behavior, particularly in health and wellness contexts. He holds a PhD (2012), MPH (1997), and BS (1983), all from the University of Arizona. His research focuses on Native American health disparities, historical trauma, and its impact on stress-related diseases like cardiometabolic disorders and addiction. He has laboratory expertise in biomarker analysis and has contributed to studies on sleep disparities, psychoneuroimmunology, and clinical interventions.

• Education: PhD (2012), MPH (1997), BS (1983), University of Arizona

Research interests include psychoneuroimmunology, the physiological effects of chronic stress, and culturally informed interventions for trauma and addiction. He has published on sleep medicine, health inequities, and biomedical protocols. Awards include the American Heart Association Stipend (1996), Centennial Achievement Award (1995), and Martin Luther King Leadership Award (1994).

Dr. Begay teaches courses such as American Indian Medicine, Drugs and Society, and Community Health Education. He previously directed programs at the Native American Research and Training Center and the MEZ College of Public Health. His work bridges cultural, psychological, and biological dimensions to address health disparities in Indigenous populations.