Health Research

CQLC NFP (2025).

Led by Dr. Carlos Saldana, this project assesses the impact of recent federal health policy changes on Latine communities, particularly in HIV prevention and care. Partnering with Latino LinQ in Atlanta, GA, and supported by CQLC NFP, the team will conduct surveys and interviews with community leaders to document policy effects and generate community-informed recommendations. Findings will be disseminated through culturally responsive bilingual infographics and a white paper, aiming to guide future advocacy, public health strategies, and equitable policymaking.

CQLC NFP (2025).

This project, led by Dr. Omar Martinez in collaboration with CQLC NFP, focuses on disseminating critical findings from two studies on Medical-Legal Partnerships (MLPs) designed to support Latine sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals living with HIV in collaboration with The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium and Legal Clinic for the Disabled in Philadelphia, PA, and Hope & Help and Community Legal Services  in Orlando, FL. Using an equity-driven, community-informed approach, the project will publish two peer-reviewed manuscripts and present at an international public health conference, ensuring that research insights effectively inform policy, advocacy, and health practices to improve health equity for Latine SGM communities.

National Institute of Mental Health (K23 MH138254, 2024–2028).

This project is led by Dr. Harita Shah at the University of Chicago. The study aims to develop and pilot a multilevel, peer network-based intervention to increase PrEP uptake among young Latino sexual minority men, addressing cultural and structural barriers to HIV prevention.

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (U01 PS005281, 2024–2028).

This project is led by Dr. George J. Greene at Northwestern University. The study seeks to address medical mistrust and enhance HIV prevention for Latinx sexual and gender minorities in Chicago by adapting and piloting a culturally tailored PrEP intervention, with the goal of increasing trust, PrEP uptake, and ultimately reducing new HIV infections.

National Institute of Mental Health (U01 MH136574, 2023–2028).

This project is led by Dr. Emma V. Sanchez-Vaznaugh at San Francisco State University. The study aims to reduce HIV-related health inequities among Latinx immigrant gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) by evaluating the effectiveness of a Spanish-language, community-driven intervention in Chicago, IL compared to a control site in Oakland, CA.

CFAR Pilot Award | October 2022 – September 2023    

Guided by Academic PI Harita Shah (University of Chicago) with consulting support from Pedro A. Serrano (Hektoen Institute of Medicine) and mentorship from Gregory Phillips II (Northwestern University), this epidemiological study examined the socio-structural determinants affecting HIV-related health outcomes among Latine communities. Sponsored by the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research, the assessment aims to inform future targeted interventions and policy initiatives by identifying key individual and structural factors impacting health within these communities.

CFAR Ending the HIV Epidemic Supplement Award | September 2021 – December 2022    

Under the guidance of Community PI Pedro A. Serrano (Hektoen Institute of Medicine) and Academic PI Harita Shah (University of Chicago), with mentorship from Gregory Phillips II (Northwestern University), this pilot project adapted a PrEP social marketing campaign specifically for Latine HIV-vulnerable cisgender sexual minority men, transgender, and non-binary individuals. Funded by the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research, the campaign was pilot tested both virtually and in the field, and later evaluated through online surveys and interviews to assess its reach, impact, acceptability, and feasibility.