Erik Santacruz

Erik Santacruz, Ed.D., is a health education specialist with extensive experience applying multidisciplinary research and multicultural competence to the psychological and health needs of LGBT youth of color. His most recent research has utilized integrated theory to explore the extent to which young men who have sex with men perceive, respond, and cope with racism and oppression as active Internet participants accessing sexual health information, sex networking sites, and meeting potential romantic/sexual partners online. Dr. Santacruz is a graduate of Columbia University’s Teachers College, where he earned a master's in community health and a doctorate in health education. He has trained with the renowned sex therapist and author, Dr. Ruth Westheimer; clinical psychologist, radio host, commentator, and author, Dr. Judy Kuriansky; as well as the distinguished minority psychology and addictions expert, Dr. Barbara C. Wallace. Dr. Santacruz has been an active member of Columbia University’s, Research Group on Disparities in Health (RGDH) and was named a distinguished fellow in May, 2014. Currently, Dr. Santacruz is a clinical psychologist in training at The George Washington University’s Professional Psychology Program. He is also a Cyber Mentors fellow, an APA fellowship program funded by National Institute of Mental Health (grant #2R25MH083635-04) designed to prepare doctoral-level behavioral and social scientists for careers as researchers in the area of HIV/AIDS and health disparities among populations of color and other communities disproportionately affected by the HIV virus. Dr. Santacruz also serves as co-editor for an upcoming edited volume (under contract with Preager Publishers) entitled, LGBT Mental Health: Advances and Emerging Edges.