Faculty & Staff Resources

I currently hold an Associate Professor position at the University of Texas at Arlington. I am a Fulbright scholar with an international reputation. My research focuses on HIV epidemiology, prevention, and implementation. I examine social problems and social conditions to understand the role of cultural, behavioral, and social structures that contribute to disease. I use a cultural lens to explore illness's ontology to design practical intervention tools to address them. My research examines the Intersectionality of how aspects of identities, e.g., gender, sex, race, class sexuality, religion, contribute to poor life outcomes.

Another focus area of my interest is the relationship between substance use and sexual behaviors among young people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). I utilize different approaches to understand the nature of human behavior and poor life outcomes. I collaborate with many partners, both internationally and domestic, to conduct research. The Most At-Risk Populations Initiative (MARPI) is an Uganda-based organization that i partner with for my research. Its mission is to ensure universal access to HIV/AIDS care. Some of the local organizations that i partner with include Arlington Homeless shelters, the Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, the AIDS Outreach Center of Fort Worth, and MOSAIC Family Services of Dallas. We build a collaborative network to enhance research, which has become invaluable in my professional growth.