Epidemiology & Prevention
The Division of Epidemiology and Prevention aims to support the identification, reduction and eradication efforts for HIV/AIDS, other infectious diseases, and cancer in populations in Baltimore and around the world by deploying innovative research studies. In our key (men who have sex with men [MSM], sex workers, people who infect drugs, transgender persons) and vulnerable (young women and adolescents) population research efforts, we use molecular epidemiology, epidemic models, surveys and mapping for high impact studies in optimizing prevention of mother to child transmission, health service deliveries, Treatment as Prevention (TasP), and Preexposure Prophylaxis (PreP).
Our genomic research in cancer and viral diseases study the interaction between vaginal microbiome, host genetics and human papillomavirus (HPV) in women, anal microbiome and anal cancer among MSM, the interplay between maternal-child microbiome and growth outcomes among HIV-exposed uninfected infants, and disease burden of type 2 diabetes. A significant funding portfolio also includes health systems strengthening through the use of data-driven metrics and continuous quality improvements. Recognizing that international research must be built upon successful local programs, we work in collaboration with HIV, malaria and TB implementation programs in lower middle income countries and train young scientists in epidemiology and implementation and dissemination science research to build on-ground research capacity to help bring local solutions to their HIV/AIDS epidemic.
