TC CFAR early career investigator Juan Pablo Zapata, PhD, presented a poster on his HIV digital intervention research and attended stimulating sessions during the CFAR Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Network (SBSRN) meeting Feb. 26 – 28, 2025, in Bethesda, MD.
Zapata is an Assistant Professor in Intervention Science at Northwestern University. His poster presentation was titled “Adapting a Multicomponent HIV Digital Intervention into a Single-Session for YMSM: An Intervention Mapping Approach.” This research project was funded by a TC CFAR 2024 pilot award.
Digital health interventions (DHIs) have become a critical tool in improving HIV care. Zapata’s study builds upon research conducted in the Keep It Up! (KIU!) trial, which is designed to develop and evaluate novel strategies for implementing digital HIV prevention programs. KIU! is a two-hour, self-paced digital health intervention for young men who have sex with men (YMSM)18-29 years old. The intervention has reduced STI rates by 40% for 12 months post intervention.
A key barrier to widespread implementation of DHIs is the multiple interactions usually required between participants and clinical care providers. Zapata’s study seeks to adapt KIU! for YMSM into a single session intervention using principles of intervention mapping. This streamlined format aims to support broader dissemination with improved accessibility and scalability of KIU!
“Presenting my research and receiving feedback from scholars—many of whom I have cited since the start of my training—has been incredibly meaningful as an early career investigator,” said Zapata. “The support from TC CFAR has been essential, providing me with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities needed to expand my research program in impactful ways. It has not only helped me grow as a researcher but has also given me the confidence to contribute to the field in meaningful and innovative ways.”
While at the meeting, Zapata attended presentations delivered by Brian Mustanski, PhD, Director of the TC CFAR, titled “Innovations and Opportunities in HIV Implementation Science” and Harold Phillips, MRP, the former Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, titled “Ending the HIV Epidemic: The Role of Social and Behavioral Sciences.” Other sessions covered topics like structural barriers to implementing evidence-based interventions and HIV research in substance use.
TC CFAR’s BSIS Core Director, Michael Newcomb, PhD, attended the meeting as well as faculty from other CFARs.
“I also received mentorship from faculty across the CFAR network and had the chance to connect with NIH program officers, which was super helpful,” said Zapata.