A5026883753- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Sex work and related issues
- LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
- Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Homelessness and Social Issues
- Phosphodiesterase function and regulation
- Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- HIV Research and Treatment
- African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Sex and Gender in Healthcare
- Renin-Angiotensin System Studies
- Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
- Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Community Health and Development
- Biotechnology and Related Fields
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Service-Learning and Community Engagement
- Fungal and yeast genetics research
Johns Hopkins University
2018-2025
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
2024-2025
Washington University in St. Louis
2025
Louisiana State University
2024
Tulane University
2015-2018
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
2018
UConn Health
2018
University of Connecticut
2018
New York University
2017
University of Washington
2002-2008
Introduction Cabotegravir long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (LA-PrEP) was shown to be safe and effective in multiple clinical trials. Increasing uptake persistence among populations with elevated risk for acquisition, especially men who have sex (MSM), is critical prevention. Objective This analysis aims understand potential users’ preferences LA-PrEP, audience segmentation. Design Willingness use LA-PrEP were measured HIV-negative, sexually active MSM the 2020 American...
This study examines the associations between discrimination experiences (types and locations) care postponement among trans-feminine individuals in United States.This secondary, cross-sectional utilized a subset of data from National Transgender Discrimination Survey (n = 2248), specifically for individuals. In this analysis, we examined relationship primary postponement.Twenty-six percent (26.25%) sample reported delaying preventive due to fear discrimination; 23.98%-46.66% respondents past...
Death from fentanyl-related overdose is now a leading cause of mortality among US adults. We sought to characterize fentanyl preference street-based people who use drugs (PWUD). Cross-sectional surveys were administered PWUD (N = 308) illicitly used heroin or prescription opioids in the prior six months. Recruitment occurred 2017 three east coast cities with high mortality: Baltimore, Boston, and Providence. Our main outcome was for (yes/no); exposures included sociodemographics, drug use,...
Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) are a family proteins that attenuate the activity trimeric proteins. RGS act as GTPase-activating (GAPs) for α subunits several proteins, much like GAPs regulate monomeric such Ras. have been cloned from many eukaryotes, and those whose biochemical has characterized members G<sub>i</sub> proteins; some forms can also on G<sub>q</sub> In an ongoing effort to elucidate role G<sub>z</sub>α in cell signaling, yeast two-hybrid system was employed identify...
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to be an empowering HIV prevention tool among female sex workers (FSW), yet little is known about PrEP awareness and interest in this population. Sex Police Promoting Health Risky Environments (SAPPHIRE) a prospective cohort study of street-based FSW Baltimore, MD. A cross-sectional analysis explored HIV-negative FSW. Multivariable Poisson regressions modeled associations between individual, interpersonal, structural variables interest. Of n...
Abstract Background Addressing xylazine harms are now a critical harm reduction priority, but relatively little epidemiological information exists to determine prevalence, magnitude, and correlates of use or related outcomes. Methods We conducted rapid behavioral survey among people who inject drugs ( n = 96) in Baltimore November–December 2022. Using novel indicator self-reported presumed effects, we examined prevalence sociodemographic past year effects association with overdose...
G<sub>z</sub> is a member of the G<sub>i</sub> family trimeric G proteins whose primary role in cell physiology still unknown. In an ongoing effort to elucidate cellular functions G<sub>z</sub>, yeast two-hybrid system was employed identify that specifically interact with mutationally activated form Gα<sub>z</sub>. One molecules uncovered this screen Rap1GAP, previously identified protein stimulates GTP hydrolytic activity monomeric Rap1 and thus believed function as down-regulator...
Gender-minority health disparity research is limited by binary gender measurement practices. This study seeks to broaden current discourse on identity in the USA, including adoption challenges and mitigation strategies, thereby allowing for better data collection understand address disparities people of all genders. Three sources were used triangulate findings: expert interviews with sexuality leaders; key-informant minorities New Orleans, LA; document analysis relevant surveys, guides...
Background: Housing is an important social determinant of health (SDOH). Transgender people face a unique blend discrimination and compromised services, putting them at risk for housing insecurity associated public concerns.Aims: This targeted ethnography explores as SDOH among transgender in the U.S.Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with (n = 41) throughout U.S.A., identified through purposive sampling. A semi-structured guide was used to elicit personal stories peer accounts...
Solitary drug use (SDU) can amplify risks of fatal overdose. We examined competing and drivers SDU, as well harm reduction strategies implemented during SDU episodes, among women who inject drugs (WWID). A cross-sectional qualitative study, including telephone face-to-face in-depth interviews. Baltimore City, MD, USA. Twenty-seven WWID (mean age = 39 years, 67% white, 74% injected daily) recruited via outreach street intercept (April-September 2021). Interviews explored the physical (i.e....
Introduction: There are persistent race- and ethnicity-based disparities in HIV incidence among gay bisexual men who have sex with (GBMSM) the United States, partially driven by inequities distribution of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We assessed how additional modalities PrEP beyond daily oral might affect uptake ongoing States. Methods: In an online survey GBMSM we presented participants descriptions each modality. Among not willing to use PrEP, willingness on-demand or long-acting...
Abstract Background Sexual and gender minority (SGM) persons experience substantial mental health disparities throughout the life course, including increased vulnerability to depression suicide. Few existing studies, however, have explored how pervasive experiences of SGM-related stigma, discrimination, trauma (i.e., stress) contribute adverse outcomes among diverse sub-populations SGM adults living in rural areas United States. This paper describes protocol for a prospective cohort study,...
Background: Supplements were awarded under the National Institutes of Health, ending HIV epidemic (EHE) initiative to foster implementation science through community-engaged research. The objective this study was synthesize lessons learned, identify areas research sufficiently studied, and present an agenda for future on health workforce development from a collaboration across 9 EHE projects in 11 jurisdictions United States. Methods: supplement recipients completed semistructured...
Background There remains limited information concerning US transfeminine persons preferences across varying PrEP options. We examined option willingness, preferences, and associated factors among a nationwide sample of persons. Methods Sexually active age 15 + were recruited online between June 2022-October 2023 through social media advertisements. Transfeminine not diagnosed with HIV asked about willingness to initiate, ranked preference, three options– daily oral (DO), on-demand,...
Purpose: Research suggests that sexual minority women (SMW) face elevated HIV risk compared with their heterosexual counterparts. This study examined the association between status-defined by identity and behavior-and HIV-related vulnerabilities among heterosexually active low-income women. Methods: analysis used National Behavioral Surveillance data (n = 5542) collected in 2019 from 23 U.S. urban areas. We behavior a set of substance use, behavior, health care, social determinants...
The COVID-19 pandemic continues driving unprecedented disruptions to health care provision, including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services. We explored service provider experiences promoting and prescribing PrEP marginalized populations during the in Baltimore, Maryland. In February April 2021, we facilitated four virtual focus group discussions with 20 providers, representing various professional cadres practice settings. Employing an iterative, team-based thematic analysis,...
Abstract Accurately measuring gender and sex is crucial in public health epidemiology. Iteratively reexamining how variables—including sex—are conceptualized operationalized necessary to achieve impactful research. Reexamining advances epidemiology toward its goals of promotion disease elimination. While we cannot reduce the complexities simply an issue measurement, striving capture these concepts experiences accurately must be ongoing dialogue practice—to benefit field population health. We...
Gz is a member of the family trimeric guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins), which plays crucial role in signaling across cell membranes. The expression predominately confined to neuronal cells and platelets, suggesting an involvement neuroendocrine process. Although pathway participates not yet known, it has been linked inhibition adenylyl cyclase. We have found that arachidonate related unsaturated fatty acids suppress nucleotide binding α subunit Gz. This by...