Karen Parker, Ph.D., MSW -  Sexual and Gender Minority Research at the National Institutes of Health:  Past, Present and Future Directions

Dr. Parker currently serves as Director of the Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), situated within the NIH Office of the Director. She was instrumental in the formation of the office in the fall of 2015 and was appointed as Director in 2016. The office coordinates NIH research related to the health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals across the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices.  She also has served as co-chair of the trans-NIH Sexual and Gender Minority Research Coordinating Committee (RCC) since its inception in 2011. In her presentation, Dr. Parker will provide an overview of SGMRO and current NIH-sponsored research and training opportunities related to SGM health (broadly defined and relevant to all departments and disciplines within the IU SPHB). 

Dr. Parker has long been a tireless voice on the diverse health issues affecting SGM communities and the need for initiatives to support NIH-funded work in this area. In addition, she is a proud alumna of Indiana University.