UCONN University of Connecticut

Interactive Global Portfolio

Where we work. What we’re working on.

Community-engaged. Evidence-driven.

We use digital health and innovative intervention science to improve health and advance health equity among underserved and marginalized populations worldwide.

We partner with communities to design, evaluate, and scale interventions that meet local needs. By studying behavior in context, we optimize what we build and pair technology with adaptive approaches to deliver lasting impact in real-world settings.

Explore our research →

Research Focus

Project Explorer

Optimizing a Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention to Increase Uptake of Chemsex Harm Reduction Services in MSM: A Micro-randomized Trial

Malaysia · 2024–2029 · MPI (Shrestha & Wickersham)

This study proposes to optimize an app-based just-in-time adaptive intervention, called JomCare, which aims to reduce chemsex risk by delivering tailored support when a person is most likely to be vulnerable to chemsex risk behaviors and receptive to intervention, with the purpose of reducing risk and averting new HIV infections.

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) / NIDA · R01DA061661

A just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) for suicide prevention in Nepal

Nepal · 2026–2031 · MPI (Shrestha & Sapkota)

This study proposes to develop and test Chissa – an app-based, JITAI designed to identify suicide risk and deliver tailored interventions among men who have sex with men in Nepal.

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) / NIMH · R21/R33MH139117

Adapting an Intervention to Reduce Stigma among MSM and Healthcare Providers in Vietnam

Vietnam · 2026–2029 · MPI (Ha, Nguyen, Orellana, Shrestha)

This study will test the feasibility, acceptability, fidelity as well as preliminary efficacy of a culturally adapted stigma-reduction intervention for MSM and healthcare providers in Vietnam on HIV-related intersectional stigma and HIV prevention and care outcomes.

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) / FIC · R01TW013193

JomPrEP: Mobile HIV prevention cascade

Malaysia · 2023–2027 NCE · PI

A clinic-integrated smartphone intervention designed to improve HIV testing, PrEP uptake, adherence, and persistence among Malaysian MSM.

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) / FIC · R33TW011665

Jom-TestPlus: Online-to-offline HIV care

Malaysia · 2022–2026 NCE · PI

A digital model integrating HIV self-testing, real-time e-counseling, and online-to-offline linkage to prevention and treatment services.

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) / NIMH · R34MH130233

QuitIQ: Adaptive tobacco cessation

United States · 2025–2027 · PI

A smartphone-based JITAI for tobacco cessation among adults with opioid use disorder in New Haven, Connecticut.

Sponsor: UConn EMERGE · Pilot award

Project SHIP: Smartwatch health innovation

United States · 2024–2026 · PI

A wearable and smartphone feasibility study examining passive data collection to monitor opioid use and overdose risk.

Sponsor: UConn CAHNR · Pilot award

Project SHADE: Digital engagement

United States · 2024–2026 · PI

A study of attitudes, acceptability, and privacy considerations around smartphone and smartwatch data collection among people who use drugs.

Sponsor: UConn CAHNR · Pilot award

Mobile EMA for near-term suicide risk

United States · 2024–2026 · PI

A mobile EMA study using machine-learning methods to predict next-day suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Sponsor: UConn InCHIP · Seed grant

SAFE-SSP: Suicide assessment in syringe services

United States · 2026–2027 · MPI

A community-engaged project focused on suicide assessment and facilitated engagement within syringe service programs.

Sponsor: UConn InCHIP · Rapid pitch seed award

SARATHI: NCD health equity in Nepal

Nepal · 2025–2027 · PI

A community-based study of noncommunicable-disease risks and service needs among sexual and gender minority communities in Nepal.

Sponsor: UConn · Pilot / seed award

Optimizing HIV prevention for PWID on PrEP

United States · 2022–2027 · Co-I

An optimization trial testing intervention components that accommodate cognitive challenges and improve PrEP adherence among people who inject drugs.

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) / NIDA · R01DA055534

Project STRIP: Tobacco use and polysubstance use

United States · 2025–2026 · PI

A survey of tobacco-use patterns and willingness to quit among people who use drugs in New Haven County.

Sponsor: UConn CAHNR · Pilot award