THRIVE Center
The Center for Translational Health Research and Interventions Advancing Equity for Sexual and Gender Minorities (THRIVE) conducts cutting-edge translational research that spans the spectrum from basic science discovery to intervention development and implementation. THRIVE is led by Director Michael Newcomb, PhD, and Associate Director Kathryn Macapagal, PhD.
THRIVE builds upon ISGMH’s largest research program and now houses all projects previously under the IMPACT Program umbrella, which was originally founded by ISGMH Director Brian Mustanski in 2008 and became one of the main research programs at ISGMH in 2015.
Conducting Translational Research
THRIVE combines unique and diverse expertise across various SGM health topics and research methodologies. Its faculty and staff are national leaders in research on SGM adolescent and young adult sexual health and HIV/STI prevention, bisexual health, queer women’s health, alcohol and drug use, mental health, and romantic relationships and intimate partner violence. Their research methods expertise includes longitudinal cohort studies, qualitative and mixed methods, intervention development, randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, eHealth and technology-based intervention approaches, and implementation science.
THRIVE works closely with the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research and the Center for Prevention Implementation Methodology. Brian Mustanski is director of the Third Coast CFAR.
Interested in collaborating with us? For more information, contact THRIVE Director Michael Newcomb.
Collaborating with the LGBTQ Community
Extensive community ties have been a hallmark of THRIVE since its inception, and we collaborate with several community-based organizations throughout Chicago. One of the closest partnerships is with the Center on Halsted, the most comprehensive LGBTQ resource center in the Midwest. THRIVE has an office and a clinical lab located at Center on Halsted, where several studies are housed, creating a welcoming environment for study participants and facilitating the translation of research into practice.
Training the Next Generation of LGBTQ Scholars
THRIVE trains and mentors graduate and medical students, postdoctoral scholars, and early stage investigators via a number of structured programs, and hosts undergraduate and graduate interns for research, web, and health communications projects.
Learn more about our POSTDOCTORAL TRAINing
The program is funded by a T32 grant from the National Institutes of Health and enrolls three postdoctoral fellows each year for two-year appointments. Trainees receive primary and secondary mentorship from faculty at ISGMH and Feinberg School of Medicine and across Northwestern University.