Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)

My first experience working with those impacted by HIV was during a college service trip to South Africa. During my time in South Africa, I saw how health disparities had such a negative impact on the HIV epidemic. After returning to the US, I started volunteering as an outreach worker with Health Innovations, a mobile HIV prevention outreach program.  This eventually led me to Boston Medical Center where I initially worked as an outreach worker/prevention counselor. While working on the ground level, I witnessed how often participants were not taken into account when research studies were initially designed.  This was particularly evident in my work with participants struggling with substance use. Research must take into account the entire picture of the situation and research participants, including the social aspects that directly impact these individuals. I believe that community feedback is required to make any positive impacts in research and help to end health disparities that are continued to be solidified through research and which do not take a holistic view. Research must be a collaborative effort among the researchers and study participants to make a difference.

I am currently the Program and Operations Manager of the HIV/HCV/STI Prevention and Treatment program. I manage both Project TRUST and the Boston STD Clinic at Boston Medical Center. Project TRUST works with those struggling with addiction and the STD clinic works with women and men at high risk of acquiring HIV. I have been directly involved in multiple research studies including both qualitative and medical trial based studies.