Our Team
The Suicide Research Initiative is within The Center for LGBTQ+ Health Equity in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at USC. The initiative is led by John R. Blosnich, whose primary area of expertise is disparities in suicide risk and prevention among LGBTQ+ individuals, with a specific emphasis on social determinants of health.
John R. Blosnich, PhD, MPH
John is the director of the Center for LGBTQ+ Health Equity at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. His primary area of expertise is disparities in suicide risk and prevention among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, with a specific emphasis on social determinants of health. Prior to joining the faculty at USC, Dr. Blosnich spent nine years working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Over the last five years, he has worked on efforts to improve LGBT health equity research in the US by addressing the lack of sexual orientation and gender identity data in mortality surveillance.
Harmony Rhoades, PhD
Harmony is a Research Associate Professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Rhoades collaborates with several prominent faculty exploring a wide range of research endeavors focused on improving the health of vulnerable populations. She holds a PhD in Sociology and an MS in Epidemiology, and her research interests include HIV prevention, sexual health, homelessness, sexual and gender minority populations, and suicide prevention.
Jack Senese IV, MSW
Senese is a Project Administrator and oversees all the projects taking place at the Center for LGBTQ+ Health at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. He also works as the clinician for our clinical work, including the Proud & Empowered intervention study. Jack’s research interests vary from body-image concerns of gay men and LGBTQ+ youth to the treatment and prevention of chronic trauma. Jack was trained as a clinician at the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach and currently sees clients through his private practice.
Alex Haydinger, BA
Alex is the project specialist for several current studies for the Suicide Research Initiative within the Center for LGBTQ+ Health and Equity at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. She graduated from the University of Southern California with degrees in Psychology and Narrative Studies. She cultivated a passion for research during her years of research as an undergraduate, specifically over the course of her year in Post-Traumatic Stress Research within the School of Social Work. Her current research interests include the research and treatment of trauma, and suicide prevention.
And many more:
There is a greater network of individuals who make up this overall team, all of whom can be found here: