Max A. Halvorson, Ph.D., is a multiracial Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) and Chinese clinical psychologist and research scientist at the Social Development Research Group in the University of Washington’s School of Social Work. His research seeks to understand risk and protective factors for later substance use and mental health problems among youth and young adults in order to inform preventive interventions. In his work he centers key aspects of identity as determinants of mental health.

Max currently serves as Co-investigator for our collective and a Project Director on our state-funded project that examines the education and mental health disparities experienced by Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth in Washington’s K12 public school system. This work is being undertaken in with the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC) and the Committee on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) and in partnership with the United Territories of Pacific Islands Alliance of Washington (UTOPIA WA), the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington (PICA WA), and local NH/PI Education leaders and advocates.