Dr. Drew Pickett is an Assistant Professor in Health and Wellness Design who recently joined us at IUB. Dr. Pickett shares a little bit about his career path, current research projects he is excited about, and some advice for students interested in a career in sexual and/or reproductive health research.
Dr. Pickett was recently awarded a grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) for the project "Development of a Physical Activity Intervention to Meet the Unique Needs of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) Caregivers". This grant will aid Dr. Pickett and sexual and gender minority (SGM) caregivers in the development of a behavioral intervention to support the unique needs of caregivers who identify as LGBTQ+. As SGMs experience discrimination and stigmatization, particularly in physical activity spaces, Dr. Pickett hopes to create social support structures to promote health among people who are caregivers and are part of marginalized communities. Read more about this amazing new project here!
How did you get to where you are today? What has your career path been like?
I took an unconventional path to get where I am today. I came to the IU School of Public Health from a different institution, where I had just earned tenure in a different field from my current work. My first two years here in Bloomington have been about transitioning to a more health equity focused research agenda, working with populations I care about deeply.
What did you study when you were an undergraduate student? How did that shape your subsequent graduate study or your professional career?
I majored in political science, with minors in business administration and Spanish. I was planning to be a lawyer — but, some things changed and I fell in love with academic research. I decided to go to graduate school, rather than law school. My current research work is certainly influenced by early training, as it incorporates management and policy as a lens for understanding health disparities and behavior.
What current research project(s) are you involved in or particularly excited about?
We have a few studies going on that are very exciting to me. Right now, we are collecting data for a few projects exploring the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and families providing care for a loved one with dementia. We are really trying to understand the unique needs and challenges of LGBTQ+ families, like legal recognition of relationships or discrimination in healthcare settings, and how those things may impact care decisions.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the collaborative environment we have here in SPH. Just walking down the hall to my office, I get to engage with a bunch of really smart people who are doing really cool things. We have so many incredible people in school working to improve lives and affect change. So, I think just being able to constantly learn from my colleagues and students and collaborators.
What advice do you have for students who are interested in a career in sexual and/or reproductive health research?
Don’t be afraid to ask! If you are interested in research — find someone doing work that interests you and ask how you can help. I encourage students to not be afraid of scientists — we’re people, too. Jump in and see how you can help.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Outside of work, I love to travel and explore. I almost always have a trip in the works. I also try to play tennis a few days a week (and recently, some pickleball too!). I’m a bit of a foodie, so we’re constantly looking for new restaurants. Recommendations are always welcome!