Assistant Professor Marvin Solberg, PhD, RN, has been awarded more than $378,000 from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse for a diversity supplement to build upon the landmark project, “Monitoring the Future (MTF): A Cohort-Sequential Panel Study of Drug Use, Ages 19-65,” by investigating substance use among sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning individuals. Launched in 1975, the MTF project has become one of the most reliable sources of information on substance use trends in the United States.

In collaboration with Dr. Megan Patrick from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, who took over as the study’s principal investigator in 2010, Dr. Solberg’s work will expand on the parent grant to address research gaps in the correlation between increased substance use/misuse and SGM identity, which has yet to be extensively studied in nationally representative longitudinal studies.

“I am thrilled to have been awarded this NIH diversity supplement, as it allows me to embark on my program of research addressing a critical research gap in sexual and gender minorities over the next two years,” Solberg said. “This opportunity not only prepares me for future applications for larger NIH grants but also provides valuable mentorship and a wider network of colleagues and experts in my area of focus.”

Over the next two years, Dr. Solberg’s research will aim to estimate the prevalence of substance use among SGMs across all ages (19-60); identify whether substance-specific perceptions such as perceived risk, disapproval and availability contribute to substance use among SGM and non-SGM individuals; and examine substance use as a predictor of health consequences, with a focus on potential health disparities between SGM and non-SGM young adults.

“This impactful national funding is a fitting recognition of Dr. Solberg’s hard work and dedication to expanding the reach of his program of research,” said College of Nursing Dean Laurie Lauzon Clabo, PhD, RN, FAAN. “It’s a continued reflection of our college’s commitment to advance nursing science through research on key issues that impact the health of diverse populations. I can’t wait to see the results of his groundbreaking work.”