Maria R. Khan, MPH, PhD

Personal Statement

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health at New York University. I completed my PhD in infectious disease epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a post-doctoral program in drug dependence at the National Development and Research Institutes, Inc. I completed a longitudinal cohort study among African American men being released from prison incarceration to examine factors driving STI/HIV-related drug use and sexual risk after release and buffering effects of social support from primary committed partners. Informed by cohort study findings, members of my team currently are piloting a novel couples-based STI/HIV prevention intervention adapted for jail/prison that aims to maintain and strengthen ties during incarceration to ensure intact support networks upon community re-entry, a stressful period when STI/HIV-related substance use and sexual risk is heightened. In a second line of work, I have extensive experience conducting secondary data analysis research using large nationally-representative data sources, including the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). I completed an Add Health study that evaluated the role of adolescent substance use in adolescent and adulthood STI/HIV risk including the degree to which substance use-related criminal justice involvement mediates the association between substance use and STI/HIV risk. I have been funded to extend this Add Health work to look earlier in the life course at an upstream factor—childhood trauma—that may drive adolescent and adulthood substance use, criminal justice involvement, and infection.

Our team has conducted numerous studies on HIV-related drug and sex risk after release from incarceration including studies to establish incarceration as a structural determinant of HIV transmission. Specifically, our team has developed a novel conceptual model hypothesizing that incarceration, by disrupting social and sexual networks, contributes to reduced social cohesion, elevations in mental disorders, and drug and sex risk behaviors that drive HIV infection.

1. Khan MR, Rosen DL, Epperson M, Goldweber A, Hemberg J, Richardson J, Dyer T. Adolescent criminal justice involvement and adulthood sexually transmitted infection in a nationally-representative US sample. J Urb Health 2012; Aug;90(4):717-28. [PMCID: PMC3732694]
2. Khan MR, Epperson M, Mateu-Gelabert P, Bolyard M, Sandoval M, Friedman SR. Incarceration, sex with an STI- or HIV-infected partner, and STI or HIV in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY: A social network perspective. AJPH 2011; Jun;101(6):1110-7. [PMCID: PMC3093283]
3. Khan MR, Doherty IA, Schoenbach VJ, Taylor EM, Epperson MW, Adimora AA. Incarceration and high-risk sex partnerships among men in the United States. J Urb Health 2009; Jul;86(4):584-601. [PMCID: PMC2704271]
4. Khan MR, Miller WC, Schoenbach VJ, Weir SS, Kaufman JS, Wohl DA, and Adimora AA. Timing and duration of incarceration and high-risk sexual partnerships among African Americans in North Carolina. Ann Epidemiol 2008; May;18(5):403-10. [PMCID: PMC2877367]

Positions and Honors

Honors:

1997                    Honors, Department of Sociology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA

2002                    Pogue UNC Graduate School Merit Assistantship

2002-2004           Fellowship for Population Studies, National Institute for Child Health and Human Development

2002-2007           Pre-doctoral Traineeship, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC                  

2004                    Fellowship in Foreign Language Area Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

2005                    Sidney Kark Award for Distinguished Teaching Assistant, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

2009                    College on Problems of Drug Dependence Travel Award

Contribution to Science

1. Epidemiology to support development of novel HIV prevention interventions for those involved in the criminal justice system focused on strengthening/maintaining committed partnerships during incarceration.  We have evaluated mediating pathways linking incarceration and HIV risk, focusing on the degree to which incarceration-related dissolution of primary committed partnerships contributes to HIV risk and on the degree to which bolstering partnerships of inmates may prevent risk after release from incarceration. These studies inform our current intervention development efforts focused on establishing couples-based programming for jail and prison inmates.

• Khan MR, El-Bassel N, Golin CE, Scheidell JD, Adimora AA, Coatsworth AM, Hu H, Judon-Monk S, Medina KP, Wohl DA. The committed intimate partnerships of incarcerated African American men: Implications for sexual HIV transmission risk and prevention opportunities. Arch Sex Behav, In Press.
• Coatsworth AM, Scheidell JD, Wohl DA, Whitehead NE, Golin CE, Judon-Monk S, Khan MR.  HIV-related sexual risk among African American men preceding incarceration: Associations with support from significant others, family, and friends. In press: Journal of Urban Health.
• Khan MR, Golin CE, Friedman SR, Scheidell JD, Adimora AA, Judon-Monk S, Hobbs MM, Dockery G, Griffin S, Oza KK, Myers D, Hu H, Medina KP, Wohl DA. STI/HIV sexual risk behavior and prevalent STI among incarcerated African American men in committed partnerships: the significance of poverty, mood disorders, and substance use. AIDS Behav 2015;19(8):1478-1490. [PMCID: PMC4526321].
• Khan MR, Behrend L, Adimora SS, Weir SS, Stephenson BL, Wohl DA. Dissolution of primary intimate relationships during incarceration and implications for post-release HIV transmission. J Urban Health 2011; Apr;88(2):365-75. [PMCID: PMC3079034].

      2. Studies to highlight the link between untreated mental disorders and sexually transmissible infection risk in vulnerable populations including jail and prison inmates. We have examined the link between mood and personality factors and STI/HIV risk and have highlighted the importance of treating mental disorders as           a component of addressing the race disparity in STI/HIV. In addition, we have documented the importance of both mood and personality disorders as strong independent correlates of STI/HIV risk among incarcerated black men, underscoring the need for prisons and jails to screen for and provide treatment of                       common treatable mental disorders to improve the health and well-being of inmates.

• Scheidell JD, Lejuez CW, Golin CE, Hobbs MM, Wohl DA, Adimora AA, Khan MR. Borderline Personality Disorder Symptom Severity and Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV Risk in African American Incarcerated Men. Sex Transm Dis. 2016;43(5):317-323. [PMCID: PMC4840566]
• Khan MR, Golin CE, Friedman SR, Scheidell JD, Adimora AA, Judon-Monk S, Hobbs MM, Dockery G, Griffin S, Oza KK, Myers D, Hu H, Medina KP, Wohl DA. STI/HIV sexual risk behavior and prevalent STI among incarcerated African American men in committed partnerships: the significance of poverty, mood disorders, and substance use. AIDS Behav, 2015 Aug;19(8):1478-90. [PMCID: PMC4526321]
• Khan MR, Bolyard M, Sandoval M, Mateu-Gelabert P, Krauss B, Aral SO, Friedman SR. Social and behavioral correlates of sexually transmitted infection- and HIV-discordant sexual partnerships in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York. JAIDS 2009; Aug;51(4):470-485. [PMCID: PMC3754807]
• Khan MR, Kaufman JS, Pence BW, Gaynes BN, Adimora AA, Weir SS, Miller WC. Depression, sexually transmitted infection, and sexual risk behavior among young adults in the United States. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009; Jul;163(7):644-52. [PMCID: PMC2796823]

      3. Network factors in HIV transmission. Using sociometric and egocentric network data, we have evaluated network-related factors associated with drug use, sex risk, and infection risk. These studies highlight the importance of social environment and peer influences in HIV risk.

• Khan MR, Berger A, Hemberg J, O’Neill AH, Berger A, Dyer TP, Smyrk K. Non-injection and injection drug use and STI/HIV risk in the United States: The degree to which sexual risk behaviors versus sexual network factors account for infection transmission among drug users. AIDS Behav 2012; Mar;17(3):1185-1194. [PMCID: PMC3923515]
• Khan MR, Epperson M, Mateu-Gelabert P, Bolyard M, Sandoval M, and Friedman SR. Incarceration, sex with an STI- or HIV-infected partner, and STI or HIV in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY: A social network perspective. AJPH 2011; Jun;101(6):1110-7. [PMCID: PMC3093283]
• Khan MR, Ravelomanana N, Van Damme K, Randrianasolo BS; Ramaniraka V, Ranaivo N, Ratsiambakaina D, Cohen M, and Behets F. Notifying partners of patients with early syphilis in Madagascar: case-finding effectiveness and public health implications. Trop Med Int Health 2010; Sep;15(9):1090-1098.
• Khan MR, Bolyard M, Sandoval M, Mateu-Gelabert P, Krauss B, Aral SO, and Friedman SR. Social and behavioral correlates of sexually transmitted infection- and HIV-discordant sexual partnerships in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York. JAIDS 2009; Aug;51(4):470-485. [PMCID: PMC3754807]

      4. Health disparities research focused on race and gender differences in infectious disease. We have demonstrated race and gender differences in levels of drug use, depression, and criminal justice involvement and in associations between these factors and sexual risk determinants of STI/HIV among adolescents                 and young adults at the national level. Findings have highlighted the need for group-specific approaches to development of interventions to prevent and address drug use, mental disorders, and HIV infection.

• Khan MR, Cleland C, Scheidell J, Berger AT. Assessment of race and gender differences in patterns of adolescent alcohol use and associations with adolescent and adult illicit drug use in the United States: A latent class analysis. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 2014; May;40(3):213-24.
• Khan MR, Berger A, Wells B, and Cleland CC. Longitudinal associations between adolescent alcohol use and adulthood sexual risk behavior and sexually transmitted infection in the United States: assessment of differences by race. AJPH 2012; May; 102(5):867-76. [PMCID: PMC3483900]
• Khan MR, Rosen DL, Epperson M, Goldweber A, Hemberg J, Richardson J, Dyer T. Adolescent criminal justice involvement and adulthood sexually transmitted infection in a nationally-representative US sample. J Urb Health 2012; Aug;90(4):717-28. [PMCID: PMC3732694]
• Berger A, Khan MR, Hemberg J. Race differences in longitudinal associations between adolescent personal and peer marijuana use and adulthood sexually transmitted infection risk. J Addict Dis 2012; Apr;31(2):130-42.

Research Support

Ongoing Research Support

R01 DA044037  - Khan (PI)  -  07/01/2017 – 04/30/2022 Stop-and-Frisk, Arrest, and Incarceration and STI/HIV Risk in Minority MSM This study aims to examine multiple levels of criminal justice involvement in the STI/HIV risk of minority men who have sex with men (MSM) by using epidemiologic and computer simulation. The study will inform development of structural STI/HIV prevention approaches in correctional settings. Role: PI   U01 AA020799   -  Braithwaite (PI)  -  09/06/2011 – 08/31/2021        Consortium to Improve Outcomes in HIV/AIDS, Alcohol, Aging & Multi-substance use (COMpAAAS) Our proposal creates an interactive, web-based simulation model of HIV transmission that can help decision makers prioritize which intervention designs are most effect by tailoring results to patients and feasibility constraints. Role: Co-Investigator   R01 AA024706-01A1  -  Braithwaite (PI)  -  09/15/2016 – 06/30/2021 Should screening and treatment strategies for unhealthy alcohol misuse in HIV infected persons vary with smoking, depression, and substance abuse? This proposal aims to inform guideline development for screening and treatment of unhealthy alcohol use, substance use, smoking and depression in HIV-infected persons. The target population is HIV-infected individuals in care at integrated health systems in regions with high HIV incidence. Role:  Co-Investigator   R01 DA036414  -  Khan (PI)  -   03/15/2014 – 01/31/2018 Longitudinal Study of Trauma, HIV Risk, and Criminal Justice Involvement This project was designed to measure the degree to which childhood traumatic events work in tandem with poverty to drive HIV risk and criminal justice involvement in the United States using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Role:  PI   P30 DA011041-16  -  Deren (PI)  -  04/15/1999 – 12/31/2017       Discovery to Implementation & Back: Research Translation for the HIV/SU Epidemic The goal of this project (CDUHR) is to enhance the utility and impact of research findings of our affiliated investigators through a transdisciplinary research infrastructure. Role: Associate Director of the Dissemination and Implementation Core   R25 EB020389 - Braithwaite & Recht (PIs) - 12/01/2015 – 11/30/2018                                      Discovering the Value of Imaging: A Collaborative Training Program in Biomedical Big Data and Comparative Effectiveness Research for the Field of Radiology This proposal addresses this lack of evidence-based use of imaging by developing a collaborative training program in comparative effectiveness research (CER) and biomedical big data that will be accessible to a large number of imagers and imaging trainees. Role: Co-Investigator   Completed Research Support R01 DA028766-S3 -  Khan (PI)  -  08/01/2011 – 07/31/2014 Relationship Disruption during Incarceration and HIV Risk in African American Men: Administrative Supplement Faculty Research Assistant: Typhanye Penniman Dyer This diversity supplement will provide the training necessary to position Dr. Typhanye Penniman Dyer as an independent investigator committed to research in the fields of drug dependence, and HIV prevention. Role:  PI   No Agency Number  -  Khan (PI)  -  07/01/2013 – 06/30/2014 University of Florida Department of Epidemiology Post-earthquake Mobility and Women’s Health in Haiti The purpose of this study was to assess relationships among impoverishment, mobility both internally and internationally, and sexually transmitted infection risk among pregnant women in Gressier/Leogagne, Haiti, towns located at the epicenter of the 2010 earthquake. Role: PI   R01 DA029894  - Latimer (PI)  -  07/15/2010 – 06/30/2015 Four-Arm RCT of Brief MI vs. Couples-Based HIV/STI Prevention in South Africa The study is designed to test the efficacy of a brief motivational interview and a cognitive-behavioral couples’ intervention in an effort to address both the enormous scope of the HIV pandemic in Sub Saharan Africa via the brief intervention while also testing a couples’ intervention designed to target a wider range of risk factors that characterize subgroups at high HIV risk. Role: Co-Investigator   R01 DA14498 -   Latimer (PI)  -  07/01/2001 – 01/31/2015 Adapt IFCBT as HIV Prevention Intervention for Non-Injection Drug Users The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized trial of the IFCBT model with adult injection and non- injection drug users. Role: Co-Investigator   Pilot Grant Award -  Khan (PI) -   04/01/2015 – 09/01/2017 through P30 DA011041                                  Development and Acceptability of a Novel STI/HIV Prevention Intervention for Couples Affected by Incarceration This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a prison-based HIV prevention intervention for incarcerated men and their female partners. Role:  PI   R01 DA028766  -  Khan (PI) - 08/01/2010 – 07/31/2016 Relationship Disruption during Incarceration and HIV Risk in African American Men This observational cohort study aims to measure the influence of stability/dissolution of relationships during incarceration on STI/HIV risk behaviors and infection of 200 African American men released from prison. Role:  PI   R03 DA037131 - Penniman Dyer (PI)  -   04/14/2014 – 03/31/2017 Syndemics, STI and HIV in Black Men who have Sex with Men and Women Using prospective data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 (HPTN061) study, a large, multi-site study conducted to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component intervention for Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) including Black men who have sex with men and women (BMSMW), we propose to characterize syndemics affecting BMSMW and to measure associations between syndemics and high-risk sex partnerships and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Role: Consultant