Lab Members

Erik D. Storholm, PhD - Director

Dr. Erik D. Storholm (he/him) is a tenured professor in the Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science in the School of Public Health and director of the Sexual Health Equity Lab (SHEL) at SDSU. Dr. Storholm is a licensed clinical psychologist with an established behavioral research program focused on reducing health inequities through behavioral and biomedical interventions that prevent HIV/STI transmission by improving mental health and reducing substance use and violence among sexual and gender minority populations. Dr. Storholm is currently leading several NIH-funded projects focused on biobehavioral HIV prevention uptake and adherence among sexual and gender minorities.

Benji Jensen, MA - Program Manager

Benji joined the SHEL in February 2023. Prior to his role as Program Manager, Benji held various project management roles at San Diego State University dedicated to university safety, advising, and teaching. He completed a M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration at the Ohio State University and studied Psychology and Business Administration at Creighton University. Benji brings a holistic approach to improving health equity, applying his background in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) education, recruitment, and retention, to create participant-centered processes and form strong community partnerships. He also is a California certified HIV/HCV test counselor.

Sungsub Billy Choo, PhD - Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Sungsub Billy Choo (he/they) joined SHEL in September 2024 as a postdoctoral researcher. They received their PhD in public health sciences from Korea University in 2024, majoring in epidemiology and risk management. At Korea University, they conducted and published research on the health of sexual and gender minority individuals in South Korea. Their doctoral dissertation examined the systems of anti-transgender stigma in South Korean society and its contribution to mental health inequities among transgender and nonbinary adults. They are committed to conducting research aimed at understanding and addressing the unique challenges to health and well-being faced by sexual and gender minority individuals.

Carrie L. Nacht, MPH - PhD Research Assistant

Carrie Nacht (she/her) is a 4th year Ph.D. student in the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health at San Diego State University/University of California San Diego. She previously attended University of Illinois at Chicago for her MPH in Epidemiology with a concentration in Global Health (2019), and finished two bachelor’s degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2016). Her research interests include sexual and reproductive health, substance use, mental health, reproductive justice, and healthcare access and equity.

Zachary Tobar - PhD Research Assistant

Zachary Tobar (he/him) is a first year PhD student in the Public Health - Epidemiology track program at San Diego State University and UC San Diego. He previously completed a Master's of Science in Epidemiology at University of California, Davis. His research interests include substance abuse, STIs, HIV, as well as evaluating interventions and harm reduction approaches particularly within the queer/LGBT+ community.

Cleo Spencer - Graduate Research Assistant

Cleo Spencer (she/her) is an educator, advocate, and researcher committed to violence prevention within the LGBTQIA+ community. She is currently completing her MPH in Health Promotion & Behavioral Science at SDSU. Previously, Cleo spent over five years managing the Crisis Intervention Training program at the Center for Community Solutions. In this role she prepared staff and volunteers to support survivors of sexual and relationship violence, taught on the impact of health inequity in the community, and fostered a deeper understanding of the dynamics affecting LGBTQIA+ survivors. Her work is guided by the belief that bodily autonomy and self-determination is a right of all people. She received her BA in Sociology from Pomona College in 2016.