Hi, I’m Ben! As an incoming PhD student in the Human Development and Family Sciences department at the University of Connecticut, I am excited to join Dr. Ryan Watson and the other students in the SHINE Lab!

Prior to joining the lab, I completed a BA in Human Development and Family Sciences and a BA in Psychological Sciences at the University of Connecticut. In broad terms, my research interests include identity and social determinants of health disparities. In particular, I am interested in prevention and intervention research focused on eliminating mental health disparities within populations of sexual and gender minority youth and young adults.

Outside of my work at UConn, you can probably find me on the tire swing at Swan Lake or hunched over the NYT daily crossword in the library.

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