Dr. Smith holds a PhD in Nursing and Health Science from the University of Rochester and is a Licensed Master Social Worker. He is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. His research focuses on sexual health outcomes in the context of HIV prevention, treatment, and care among Black sexual and gender-diverse communities globally. Particularly interested in social networks, especially chosen families, Dr. Smith examines their impact on HIV-related and sexual health outcomes for Black men in the House Ball Community. He prioritizes developing community-driven, asset-based interventions to improve health outcomes for historically marginalized populations. In 2015, Dr. Smith co-founded the Keeping Ballroom Community Alive Network (KBCAN), working alongside a nationwide cadre of activists organizing for social justice.
Since 2010, Dr. Smith has worked on numerous health and social welfare initiatives, beginning as an HIV case management intern in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. He has since served as an HIV test counselor, research assistant/coordinator on HIV and sexual health studies, consultant for national and state HIV awareness campaigns, and contributed to the startup of the Office of Supportive/Affordable Housing and Services (OSAHS), an initiative to procure 15,000 units of supportive housing in New York City. These experiences led to his role as Community Co-Chair of the Ending the Epidemic Task Force Black MSM Subcommittee, where he led efforts to implement recommendations for improving HIV care continuum outcomes for Black MSM across New York State. In 2019, Dr. Smith served as the inaugural Storytelling Co-Chair for the National HIV Prevention Conference, hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Smith has been active in the house/ballroom community since 2009 and is currently a member of the House of Xclusive-Lanvin in mainstream ballroom and the House of Hua Mulan in Kiki ballroom.
Publications
Jeffrey Birnbaum, Michael Roberson, Marlon M Bailey, Martez D R Smith, DeAnne Turner, Han-Zhu Qian, Sangchoon Jeon, Sabina Hirshfield, LaRon E Nelson
PLoS ONE, 2023
Martez D R Smith, Natalie M. Leblanc, LaRon E Nelson, James McMahon
PLoS ONE, 2023
S. Hirshfield, J. Birnbaum, DeAnne Turner, Michael Roberson, M. Bailey, Martez D R Smith, LaRon E Nelson
2023
Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari, Martez DR Smith, Donte T Boyd, S Raquel Ramos, Courtney Johnson, Juan L Benavides, Megan Threats, Junior L Allen, Camille R Quinn
International journal of environmental research and public health, vol. 19(2), 2022, p. 1003
S. Hirshfield, J. Birnbaum, DeAnne Turner, Michael Roberson, M. Bailey, Martez D R Smith, LaRon E Nelson
Health Promotion Practice, 2022
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