About Us

We are a trans-led team comprised of scientists, researchers, educators, students, and community members.

Our priority is to improve the well-being of transgender and nonbinary Washingtonians by leveraging public health and health policy research as a tool for systematic change. This work includes expanding trans health and health policy holistically across several social and structural determinants of health that are integral to the lived experiences of transgender and nonbinary people.

Meet the Researchers

We’re a research group at the University of Washington’s School of Public Health. Our principle investigator is epidemiologist Dr. Arjee Restar, PhD, MPH.

Dr. Arjee Restar, PhD, MPH

she/her

Ruby Lucas, MPH

they/them

Emerson Dusic, MPH

they/he

Jessie Melina Garcia Gutiérrez, MPH, MSW

she/her

Audren J.K. Bambilla, MPH

he/they

Daphne Suen

she/her

Nathaniel Widmann

he/him

Meet the Advisory Board

Deborah Alina Schwarz

she/her

Dr. Baer Karrington, MD, MScPH

they/them/their | elle/le/-e

Dr. Alic G. Shook, PhD, RN

he/him

Aleks Martin, MSW MAP | ALEKSA MANILA

she/they

Xero Xanadu

they/them

Vanessa Grandberry

no pronoun preferences

Meet Other Key Members

Ann Richey

she/her

Transitioning from MPH to PhD program

Dil Singh, MPH

they/them

Alumni

Isaac Sederbaum, MPA

he/him

Advisee

Meet our Community Partners

Lifelong

Lifelong is an organization dedicated to fighting barriers to health with relentless compassion so that no one faces illness and injustice alone. Lifelong has programs to provide support with HIV, food, housing, and disability.

People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCCAN)

POCAAN is an organization committed to providing comprehensive, multicultural awareness and prevention programs aimed at addressing health disparities experienced in marginalized communities. POCAAN’s programs support with PrEP, HIV and other STIs, and more.