Research and Teaching Interests

Dr. Croker's research aims at a deeper understanding of how minoritized identity (i.e., race, ethnicity, age, HIV status, LGBQ identity) influences health behaviors in order to inform policies that promote health among vulnerable groups across the lifespan. Presently, Dr. Croker's research examines the relationship between minoritized identity and polysubstance use (i.e., tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol products), particularly among adolescents and emerging adults (AEA), and among older adults living with HIV. Dr. Croker's long-term research interests aim at reducing health disparities (including tobacco related morbidity, mortality, and substance abuse) for people of color, LGBT people, AEA, and older PLWH through individual health promotion, harm reduction, and multi-level policy interventions. Dr. Croker has extensive expertise in direct patient engagement, program evaluation, and in building cross-disciplinary models of care to promote service quality and improve patient experience.