I am honored to have the opportunity to introduce the recipient of Division 38’s 2014 Excellence in Health Psychology Research Award. It is an honor because I have the opportunity now to introduce a mentor, a colleague, and most of all – a friend. Briefly – there is no doubt that Dr. Halkitis embodies the spirit of this award as a scholar, teacher, mentor, advocate, and leader, and because his work in the field of health psychology has been transformative.
Dr. Halkitis is presently Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies, Professor of Applied Psychology and Public Health and Director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. He is internationally renowned for his work examining the intersection between HIV, drug abuse, and mental health burden, and considered one of the nation’s leading experts on methamphetamine addiction and HIV behavioral research. His current program of research is focused on 2 primary areas: (a) the development of emerging adult gay and bisexual men with regard to risk and protective factors that predispose these young men to development of syndemics as well as resiliencies; and (b) the risk behaviors of older adult HIV-‐ positive gay men and the association of aging, executive function, and mental health burden as antecedents of drug use and sexual risk taking. A current buzzword in our field is “intersectionality.” Dr. Halkitis has been working in intersectionality, an essential element to understanding the dynamics of HIV, before many of us began talking about it. His research has always been and remains focused on the complex intersectionalities that characterize HIV research, and integrates race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and social class within the larger context of service provision.
Dr. Halkitis has numerous programs of research at CHIBPS including Project Desire, Project Access, and Project VOCALL. These various projects and programs of research embrace cutting edge technologies, target populations at risk such as young men, work within community agencies and organizations such as Harlem United, as well as federal, state and local entities (e.g. CDC, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the United Way). Dr. Halkitis’ research on methamphetamine addressed an epidemic that has wide ranging health implications for the population of gay men, and he was on the front end of describing an epidemic within the context of HIV/AIDS that remains one of the key clinical and prevention challenges in the realm of HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Halkitis has published over 150 peer reviewed articles as well as 3 edited volumes that address wide ranging issues from HIV seropositive gay men’s relationships, sexual behavior, and methamphetamine addiction. However, it is his latest book that reveals Dr. Halkitis as a scholar, advocate, and person. His new book: The AIDS Generation: Stories of Survival and Resilience, examines the life experiences of gay men who are long term survivors of HIV/AIDS, and was published by Oxford University Press in Fall 2013. This book has received significant attention in the national media and tells a story with a unique poignancy and connection. Dr. Halkitis infuses the HIV epidemic with a humanity I have rarely seen in any other writings on the topic. In addition, Dr. Halkitis has been awarded nearly $20 million in research funding from a wide range of entities including NIH, CDC, New York Community Trust, and APF. Presently Dr. Halkitis is the Editor in Chief of Behavioral Medicine and serves on numerous other editorial boards.
Dr. Halkitis has been very active in service to APA. He has served as chair of the Commitee on Psychology and AIDS as well as CLGBTC, and as Chair of the “sexuality and health” SIG of APA Division 38. And his commitment to service and advocacy is far reaching – he gives back to the LGBT community in many ways by collaborating with community agencies such as Gay Men’s Health Crisis and Harlem United and is focused on supporting both clients as well as the health care providers working within these communities. He has served as Vice Chair of Body Positive of New York City and has worked closely with the NY LGBT Community Center.
As a mentor Dr. Halkitis has fostered the careers of innumerable students, post-‐docs and faculty. He has supported student and early stage research through internship opportunities at CHIBPS, and has supported and cultivated the development of both graduate students and junior faculty members. And his recent achievement of an MPH has fostered his ability to reach across the aisle and build bridges between the complementary fields of psychology and public health.
Dr. Halkitis’ body of work thus far and the directions in which he is moving his research, advocacy and mentorship are an ideal example of the spirit of this award. His work is a model for health psychology – addressing disease, disparity, intersectionality, and behavior within a context of advocacy. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of this award. The sheer volume of his scientific and academic work, and his recently released book reveals the man and his heartfelt connection to the individuals he reaches through his work. He was able to integrate science and imbue the stories of the HIV epidemic with humanity and hope. And that to me is one of the best manifestations of health psychology I have witnessed in my career.