Timothy J. Simmons (he/him) is a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student collaborating with Dr. Henry Willis in the CREATE (The Cultural Resilience, Equity, and Technology) Lab. He earned his BA in Psychology & Women and Gender Studies from the University of South Carolina in 2022, before graduation he was selected as a McNair Scholar, receiving the prestigious Distinguished McNair Scholar Award for his research. Timothy secured grants during his undergraduate tenure to support his research projects.

Following graduation, Timothy embarked on a role as a postbaccalaureate researcher at the University of South Carolina. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in developing curricula for NIH-funded culturally adapted, community-based health interventions tailored specifically to Black populations.

His research interests are multifaceted:

1. Understanding sociocultural protective factors (ethnic-racial socialization, racial identity, collectivism) as adaptive mechanisms.
2. Investigating the factors that influence trust in disclosing experiences of discrimination to mental health providers.
3. Utilizing policy and media platforms for widespread dissemination of research findings.

Timothy is deeply committed to exploring the diverse individual and community contexts within the Black community, recognizing the inherent heterogeneity and its implications for understanding and addressing unique needs. Through his comprehensive approach, he aspires to advance knowledge and challenge racist pseudoscience.