Project Mentor
Dr. Gio Iacono
Department: Social Work
Research Project Overview:
LGBTQIA+ youth experience significant mental health disparities compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. These disparities are driven by minority stress—the chronic stress resulting from stigma, discrimination, family rejection, and lack of affirming resources. Despite these challenges, many LGBTQIA+ youth demonstrate resilience, particularly when they have access to affirming supports such as family acceptance, supportive school environments, and access to mental health care.
This research focuses on developing, scaling, and evaluating affirmative mindfulness-based interventions tailored for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. These interventions integrate mindfulness practices with LGBTQIA+-affirming frameworks to support mental health, reduce minority stress, and promote social well-being. The work also examines barriers to accessing affirming mental health care and explores how to scale evidence-based interventions to reach more youth in need.
Role of a SHARE Summer Apprentice:
Given this background, there are 2 main projects that a student could choose from in this apprenticeship (or work on components of more than one). Please note there will be more projects launched over the summer that relate to LGBTQIA+ youth wellbeing:
- Developing and Scaling Affirmative Mindfulness-Based Interventions for LGBTQIA+ Youth
This project involves supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of mindfulness-based interventions designed specifically for LGBTQIA+ youth. Work includes reviewing intervention materials, supporting pilot testing, collecting and analyzing data on mental health outcomes, and identifying barriers to intervention access and uptake. - Research Dissemination and Grant Writing to Support Intervention Scaling
This project focuses on translating research findings into accessible formats for multiple audiences, including peer-reviewed publications, community reports, conference presentations, and grant applications. Work includes drafting manuscript sections, creating presentation materials, and contributing to grant proposals that support the expansion and scaling of interventions.
Summer Schedule/Time Commitment:
Hours are very flexible. If students want the maximum hours, we have enough work for them to do to make that happen. If they prefer to work less, that is okay, too. The modality of the position will be remote (Webex). Students are very able to work around their other commitments.
For any of these projects, a student will have the opportunity to:
- Learn qualitative research methods, including coding interview data, discussing findings in team settings, and conducting thematic analysis
- Conduct systematic literature searches and synthesize findings on LGBTQIA+ youth mental health, minority stress, and intervention research
- Support research project coordination, including maintaining timelines, organizing documentation, and providing logistical support
- Contribute to research dissemination, including drafting sections of manuscripts, preparing conference presentations, and developing materials for community and advocacy audiences
- Participate in grant writing activities to support intervention scaling and research expansion
- Engage in community-responsive research by working collaboratively with researchers, students, and community partners committed to LGBTQIA+ equity and justice
- If students choose, they can be a co-author on papers submitted for peer review when their contributions meet authorship standards.
Preferred Qualifications:
The most important qualification for students is that they have a commitment to equity and justice for LGBTQIA+ communities. It’s okay if they have not worked directly with the LGBTQIA+ community, although that is a plus. As long as they have a commitment to upholding these values in our research, that is key.
Additional preferred qualifications include:
- Coursework or background in social work, psychology, human development, public health, or related disciplines
- Interest in LGBTQIA+ mental health, mindfulness-based interventions, or health equity research
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Experience with (or strong interest in) qualitative or quantitative research methods, especially interview coding and data analysis
- Ability to work respectfully on sensitive topics and maintain confidentiality
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative
To Apply:
The application opens on Monday, March 2, 2026. Click here to submit an online application for this SHARE apprenticeship through the Quest Portal. The application deadline is Monday, March 30, 2026, at 11:59pm.
Click here to view an outline of the general application questions. There are no additional questions for this application.
Please note:
All students hired for a SHARE Summer apprenticeship must complete a federal I-9 form and present original documents in person to OUR staff as part of the hiring process. Visit this U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page for more information about acceptable documents. You cannot begin working until this is complete. Students are encouraged to plan ahead for this. For example, if you are going home for spring break, consider bringing original documents back to campus with you.