“We say in Public Health all the time that association is not causation”
Thomas Wilson is a second-year PhD student in the College of Public Health at George Mason University, where he specializes in Social and Behavioral Sciences. His academic work is driven by a commitment to understanding and improving the experiences of caregivers, particularly those facing structural and social inequities.
In Fall 2025, Thomas earned first place in the university’s Research Poster Competition, presenting a project that examined how caregiver identity status interacts with adverse mental health outcomes. His research focused on depression and extended periods (14 or more days) of poor mental health, using self-reported data to explore how sexual orientation and gender identity may act as modifying factors.
Thomas’s passion for caregiving research stems from his own experiences as a caregiver during high school, while simultaneously pursuing certification as a nursing aide in North Carolina. His early exposure to caregiving challenges, followed by work with caregiver support organizations, led him to transition from clinical healthcare into health administration and research. Through these experiences, he recognized critical gaps in support systems—especially for caregivers and end-of-life care in rural communities.
Building on this foundation, Thomas plans to further investigate caregiver mental health through the Minority Stress Framework, which he has already applied in studying sexual and gender minority populations. He is also interested in how language barriers compound caregiving challenges, as well as in exploring the often-overlooked positive dimensions of caregiving.
Originally motivated to pursue graduate study with the goal of becoming a Principal Investigator, Thomas found additional inspiration through hands-on work in psychosocial oncology and the process of writing his own research manuscripts. He is currently working on three manuscripts and used the Research Poster Competition as an opportunity to refine his ability to communicate complex research to broader audiences.
To prepare for the competition, Thomas participated in the Graduate Division’s SkillCraft workshops, which he credits as instrumental in strengthening his teaching and communication skills. He also acknowledges the support of his advisor, Dr. Roadman Turpin, whose mentorship has been invaluable in shaping his research and presentation approach. Thomas will continue to build on these experiences as a future guest speaker in the Communication Academy Workshops.
“I know this was supposed to be about me and the research, but, about 10,000 people every day in the United States turn 65... and as of 2026, 1 in every 4 adults in the United States serves as an unpaid caregiver.”
Looking ahead, Thomas aspires to a career that bridges public health administration and research. He is particularly committed to serving rural communities in Appalachia by expanding access to resources and advocating for policies that address longstanding disparities.