“Public health found me.”
In 2008, Timothy Grigsby graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology — just at the economy crashed and job opportunities were slim. He took a temporary position in the Department of Epidemiology at UC Irvine, despite having no public health experience.
“I remember going home from the interview and typing into Google, ‘What is epidemiology?’ trying to figure out what these words meant,” Grigsby recalled.
This marked the beginning of Grigsby’s career in public health. He already had a passion for research, and studying health at the population level — rather than working one-on-one with individuals — proved to be a better fit for him. He earned a Ph.D. in preventive medicine with a concentration in health behavior research from the University of Southern California in 2016.
In the fall of 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grigsby joined the 51ԹϺ School of Public Health, eager to build a stronger research presence in addiction and childhood trauma at 51ԹϺ.
What drew you to 51ԹϺ?
There was a significant opportunity for growth in substance misuse research. Since Las Vegas, known as Sin City, encourages indulgence, it serves as an ideal place to study substance use — not just among locals, but among visitors, as well. I was surprised to find that 51ԹϺ didn’t have a strong presence in substance use research when I arrived. However, in the past five years, momentum has been building, particularly with the creation of the Cannabis Policy Institute.
I’m also part of an interdisciplinary research group focused on addiction — one of 51ԹϺ’s Interdisciplinary Research Development Areas (iRDA). Our group includes faculty from the School of Public Health, School of Nursing, psychology, social work, and other disciplines. We collaborate to develop proposals, generate research ideas, and analyze substance use trends in Nevada and Las Vegas specifically.
Tell me about your research.
I categorize my research into three main areas:
Substance Misuse and Mental Health
I'm interested in understanding the root causes of substance misuse and mental health issues. By using larger models, we can identify the individual, interpersonal, and societal factors that contribute to these conditions and then develop targeted prevention programs.
I focus particularly on secondary prevention. While primary prevention programs are important, they are not always 100% effective. Some individuals either don’t have access to them or don’t benefit from them. We need secondary prevention strategies to intervene before individuals end up in emergency departments or treatment facilities. There have to be better ways to screen and support those at risk before their issues escalate into full-blown substance use disorders.
Health Effects of Childhood Trauma
Returning to my psychology roots, I recognized trauma as a key predictor of substance misuse. Early psychological therapies often focused on unconscious and subconscious factors driving behavior. As I broadened my research portfolio, I became particularly interested in the multifaceted nature of trauma — family-based exposures like neglect, abuse, or witnessing violence, as well as community-level factors like bullying, discrimination, and structural traumas such as lack of access to essential resources.
My recent research has explored how public health can better address trauma-affected populations. Trauma responses vary widely, and engaging with stressors can trigger re-lived experiences. This makes it challenging to create interventions that are both systematic and compassionate. Finding that balance is a crucial part of my work.
Novel Methods of Research in Public Health
My third research focus involves integrating novel research methods into public health. I explore methodologies from other disciplines to determine how their theories and analytical tools can enhance public health research.
What current research project excites you the most?
Sometime