News
What’s happening in the lab.
Jun 2026
New Seed Funding for Suicide Prevention Research
Congratulations to Dr. Kamal Gautam and team on receiving seed funding through the UConn Community-Engaged Health Research Forum, sponsored by UConn InCHIP. The team’s winning pitch, “Suicide SAFE-SSP: Suicide Assessment and Facilitated Engagement in Syringe Service Programs.”
Jul 2026
Shrestha Lab at AIDS 2026, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Shrestha Lab was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the International AIDS Society AIDS 2026, held July 25–31. Our team presented our research, met with partners and collaborators, and connected with colleagues worldwide.
Aug 2026
New NIH award to advance suicide prevention research in Nepal
Dr. Shrestha received a new R21/R33 award from NIH to develop and test a JITAI for suicide prevention among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Nepal.
Aug 2025
Dr. Shrestha Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
We are proud to celebrate our PI, Dr. Roman Shrestha, on his promotion to Associate Professor with tenure at the University of Connecticut. Congratulations, Dr. Shrestha!
Apr 2026
New NIH R01 award to reduce HIV-related stigma in Vietnam
Our lab is excited to announce a new NIH R01 award (R01TW013193), led by Dr. Toan Ha at the University of Pittsburgh, to adapt and test a multilevel intervention designed to reduce HIV-related stigma among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the healthcare providers who serve them in Vietnam.
Jan 2026
Dr. Kamal Gautam joins the lab as Assistant Research Professor
Dr. Gautam joined the lab as an Assistant Research Professor after completing his doctoral program in health promotion. He will continue his research on using innovative technologies, including smartphone-based EMA and wearable technologies, to advance suicide prevention.
Jun 2026
Publication alert: Smartphone-based EMA to monitor opioid use
A new study led by Dr. Kamal Gautam, together with other members of the research team, examined the feasibility of using smartphone-based EMA to monitor opioid use and overdose experiences among people who use opioids.
May 2026
Congrats to Safaet on Dissertation Assistantship Award!
Congratulations to our PhD student, Md. Safaet Hossain Sujan, on being selected for InCHIP’s Dissertation Assistantship Award and the UConn Graduate School’s Research Apprentice Fellowship Award!
Jun 2026
Congratulations to Antoine Khati on NeuroUX Pilot Grant
We are proud to celebrate our lab member, Antoine Khati, on receiving the NeuroUX Pilot Grant, which will support his research using EMA to examine how symptoms, treatment adherence, emotional distress, and daily challenges associated with breast cancer-related lymphedema change over time.