Funded Research Projects
Developing and piloting a multilevel intervention to address psychosocial and structural syndemics in people with HIV in South Africa
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Principal Investigator: Jasper S. Lee, PhD
Grant Number: K23MH135748
Budget Period: 02/24 – 01/29
Total Funding Amount: $974,294
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In South Africa, the country with the highest HIV prevalence (19%), comorbid problems such as depression, post-traumatic stress, and food insecurity synergistically enhance one another (i.e., syndemic problems) and are associated with worse HIV outcomes such as poorer antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and worse viral load. This study proposes to: 1) explore the complex interrelationships between syndemic problems and explore attitudes to potential intervention components; 2) develop a multilevel intervention to address syndemic problems and improve adherence (CBT-SA); 3a) assess the feasibility and acceptability of CBT-SA in a pilot RCT; and 3b) identify barriers and facilitators of CBT-SA engagement. If the CBT-SA intervention is found to be feasible and acceptable, and findings suggest clinically meaningful improvement, the multilevel CBT-SA intervention could be further examined for effectiveness, which could advance the field toward the ending the HIV epidemic initiative.
Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Gun Violence Prevention Mini-Grant
Qualitative pilot study of experts to inform scenario selection for a novel use-of-force simulator experience
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Principal Investigator: Jasper S. Lee
Funding amount: $5,000
Budget Period: 2023-2024
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The major goal of this grant is to collect pilot data that will inform scenario selection for a larger study investigating the performance of civilians on a virtual firearm use-of-force simulator.
Learning from individuals with food insecurity engaging in HIV care (Fenway LIFE Study)
Kenneth H. Mayer Fellowship
Principal Investigator: Peter Chai
Co-Investigator: Jasper S. Lee
Funding amount: $50,000
Budget Period: 2023-2024
The major goal of this grant is to apply digital phenotyping to understand predictors of food insecurity, depression, and non-adherence in individuals living with HIV in the greater Boston area.
Harvard Center for AIDS Research Developmental Award
Identifying and exploring impacts and interrelationships of syndemic problems on HIV outcomes in South Africa
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Principal Investigator: Jasper S. Lee, Ph.D.
Funding Amount: $65,529
Budget Period: 2023-2024
This study uses mixed quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the associations of psychosocial and structural syndemic problems (i.e., depression, substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder, and food insecurity) on HIV treatment outcomes (i.e., antiretroviral therapy adherence and viral load) among people with HIV in South Africa. We will also qualitatively explore healthcare provider attitudes toward intervention components.
Examining Feasibility and Acceptability of a Digital Pill System to Measure Adherence among People with HIV-TB Co-Infection in South Africa
Principal Investigator:
Jasper S. Lee, Ph.D.
Funding Amount: $30,000 (BWH)
Budget Period: 2023 – 2024
This study qualitatively explores attitudes and perceptions of digital pill systems for medication adherence monitoring of tuberculosis (TB) treatment among people with HIV and TB (PHWTB) co-infection in South Africa (SA), as well as among TB healthcare providers in SA.