Transforming the response to the HIV epidemics amongst key populations: Addressing structural factors for achieving HIV elimination - Co-Investigator
(12/2023 - 12/2030)
This study focuses on addressing structural factors that impact the response to HIV epidemics among key populations, with the goal of achieving HIV elimination.
Post Baccalaureate Research Opportunity to Promote Equity in Learning (PROPEL) - Co-Investigator
National Institute of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences (9/2022-8/2027)
This project aims to develop strategies to promote equity in learning for post-baccalaureate students and to support their progression in scientific research careers.
A Randomized Trial to Test the Efficacy of a Partner Navigation Intervention for HCV Treatment among Young Adult People who Inject Drugs - Principal Investigator
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (3/2022 - 8/2027)
Most young adult (<30 years old) people who inject drugs (PWID) – who are the group at greatest risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection—do not initiate available curative therapy. Building on our extensive foundation of dyadic research and dyadic behavior change theories, we developed the Partner Navigation Intervention a two-session injecting partnership intervention to enhance dyadic capacity for HCV treatment initiation for young adult PWID. The proposed study is a randomized controlled study (RCT) to assess the efficacy and mechanism of action of the first behavioral intervention to increase HCV treatment initiation among young adult PWID.
You're Empowered Through Treatment Initiation (YETI) Study - Principal Investigator
National Institutes of Health (Ongoing)
This study aims to increase hepatitis C (HCV) treatment initiation among young adults (18-30 years old) who inject drugs. YETI is a counseling intervention that involves participants’ injecting partners into HCV treatment linkage navigation. The YETI study partners with healthcare organizations across the city to develop and carry out a community-supported two-session intervention which will be evaluated through a binary (treatment initiation) and survival (time-to-initiation) analysis.
Aging among the homeless: Social isolation, Function, and Institutional Care - Co-Investigator
National Institute on Aging (6/2022 - 5/2027)
The proposed study will examine the relationship between discrimination, stigma, medical mistrust, health care utilization, and health outcomes among homeless older adults in a novel, longitudinal cohort study. Older adults experiencing homelessness may be more likely to experience stigma and discrimination based on various characteristics common in this population (e.g., homelessness, being ethnic/racial minorities, and experiencing substance use disorder and mental health problems) which, in turn, has been linked to medical mistrust. This study will fill the gap in knowledge about medical mistrust as a barrier to healthcare utilization in older homeless adults and provide a toolkit for practitioners to build trust in healthcare systems and providers.
The No One Waits (NOW) Study: Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of a Community OnSite Point-of-Diagnosis HCV Treatment Study - Principal Investigator
Gilead Sciences (9/2019 - 08/2024)
The proposed study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an accelerated treatment program started at time of chronic HCV diagnosis (intervention) (n=150), and effectiveness assessed by the proportion attaining SVR12 and completing a full course of HCV treatment. Findings from the proposed study will directly inform the scale-up of similar point-of-diagnosis treatment programs at community-based HCV screening sites.
SF BUILD: Enabling full representation in Science - Multi-PI
National Institute on General Medicine (NIGM) (1/2019 - 6/2024)
This project aims to transform teaching, training, and research at the partnering institutions by creating an intellectually safe and affirming environment in which minority students can thrive and become scientists.
The Impact of Stigma on Interpersonal Relationships of Young Adult People who Inject Drugs
National Institute of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse (6/2022-3/2024)
This research examines the impact of stigma on the interpersonal relationships of young adults who inject drugs, aiming to understand how stigma affects their social interactions and access to care.