Structured, mentored research programs for high school and undergraduate students from underrepre... more Structured, mentored research programs for high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds are needed to increase the diversity of our nation's biomedical research workforce. In particular, a robust pipeline of investigators from the communities disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic is needed not only for fairness and equity but for insights and innovations to address persistent racial and ethnic disparities in new infections. We created the Summer HIV/AIDS Research Program (SHARP) at the San Francisco Department of Public Health for URM undergraduates as a 12-week program of hands-on research experience, one-on-one mentoring by a senior HIV investigator, didactic seminars for content and research methods, and networking opportunities. The first four cohorts (2012-2015) of SHARP gained research skills, built confidence in their abilities and self-identified as scientists. In addition, the majority of program alumni is employed in research positions and has been admitted to or is pursuing graduate degree programs in fields related to HIV prevention. While we await empirical studies of specific mentoring strategies at early educational stages, programs that engage faculty who are sensitive to the unique challenges facing diverse students and who draw lessons from established mentoring frameworks can help build an inclusive generation of HIV researchers.
Background / Purpose: The iPrEx trial recently demonstrated 44% efficacy of daily oral pre-exposu... more Background / Purpose: The iPrEx trial recently demonstrated 44% efficacy of daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) provided a comprehensive package of prevention services ( RM Grant et al 2010). Daily pill use proved challenging for a substantial proportion of study participants, and it is thought that alternative dosing patterns may facilitate PrEP pill use, lower costs and potentially reduce drug toxicity.A previous study on sex frequency and planning ( F van Griensven et al 2010) suggests the feasibility of intermittent pre-exposure prophylaxis (iPrEP) dosing in this particular population, but results may not be generalizable to other populations.To assess the appropriateness of iPrEP, we evaluated anal sex frequency and planning among MSM in the United States. Main conclusion: iPrEP may be an appropriate strategy for some MSM. Most survey respondents reported having anal sex on 2 days or less in the past week, and appr...
Structured, mentored research programs for high school and undergraduate students from underrepre... more Structured, mentored research programs for high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds are needed to increase the diversity of our nation's biomedical research workforce. In particular, a robust pipeline of investigators from the communities disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic is needed not only for fairness and equity but for insights and innovations to address persistent racial and ethnic disparities in new infections. We created the Summer HIV/AIDS Research Program (SHARP) at the San Francisco Department of Public Health for URM undergraduates as a 12-week program of hands-on research experience, one-on-one mentoring by a senior HIV investigator, didactic seminars for content and research methods, and networking opportunities. The first four cohorts (2012-2015) of SHARP gained research skills, built confidence in their abilities and self-identified as scientists. In addition, the majority of program alumni is employed in research positions and has been admitted to or is pursuing graduate degree programs in fields related to HIV prevention. While we await empirical studies of specific mentoring strategies at early educational stages, programs that engage faculty who are sensitive to the unique challenges facing diverse students and who draw lessons from established mentoring frameworks can help build an inclusive generation of HIV researchers.
Background / Purpose: The iPrEx trial recently demonstrated 44% efficacy of daily oral pre-exposu... more Background / Purpose: The iPrEx trial recently demonstrated 44% efficacy of daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) provided a comprehensive package of prevention services ( RM Grant et al 2010). Daily pill use proved challenging for a substantial proportion of study participants, and it is thought that alternative dosing patterns may facilitate PrEP pill use, lower costs and potentially reduce drug toxicity.A previous study on sex frequency and planning ( F van Griensven et al 2010) suggests the feasibility of intermittent pre-exposure prophylaxis (iPrEP) dosing in this particular population, but results may not be generalizable to other populations.To assess the appropriateness of iPrEP, we evaluated anal sex frequency and planning among MSM in the United States. Main conclusion: iPrEP may be an appropriate strategy for some MSM. Most survey respondents reported having anal sex on 2 days or less in the past week, and appr...
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Papers by Liz Kroboth