Interdisciplinary Sexual Health & HIV Research

Researchers at the University of Rochester School of Nursing & Health Sciences seek to advance sexual health and HIV science that has an impact on ending the HIV epidemic nationally and globally.

Members of the INSHHR group meeting at a table.

About the INSHHR group

The Interdisciplinary Sexual Health & HIV Research (INSHHR) group was formed in 2014 by the University of Rochester School of Nursing & Health Sciences clinical and research faculty, postdocs, and PhD students. The INSHHR group leverages investigators' unique backgrounds, creativity, experience, and skills across multiple disciplines to increase innovation, productivity, and impact in the conduct of research aimed at improving sexual health and HIV-related outcomes with a focus on marginalized and vulnerable populations.

News & stories

Two orange and green pumpkins sit in front of Helen Wood Hall, beside a sign that reads Meliora.

School faculty secure $4.2 million in NIH research funding

Oct 16, 2026

NIMH awards $3.3M grant to study community intervention in increasing HIV testing and PrEP uptake access in Ghana

Sep 15, 2026

Centennial Spotlight: Orlando Harris advances health research, policy to change lives

Feb 9, 2026

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Latest INSHHR updates

Remembering HIV/AIDS advocate Hydeia Broadbent

INSHHR wants to express our deep condolences and gratitude to Ms. Hydeia Broadbent, who was a fierce advocate for long-term survivorship among people living with HIV. She was born with HIV, during a time when the advances we now see were not yet employed. She was a beacon of light and hope in the HIV world and her presence will always be felt as we continue to do research on prevention, care, treatment, and a cure.

Chen Zhang, PhD, MPH

Chair, Interdisciplinary Sexual Health & HIV Research group
Associate Professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing & Health Sciences

Chen Zhang, PhD, MPH is a population health researcher with interdisciplinary training in medicine, social science, data science, and epidemiology. Her work focuses on applying advanced analytical and implementation methods to improve health outcomes in the areas of HIV prevention, substance use, and behavioral health across diverse populations. Her current projects focus on strengthening the HIV PrEP continuum—enhancing awareness, prescription, uptake, and adherence—within community and clinical settings nationwide.

Zhang also explores the application of emerging technologies in healthcare. She leads the development of an AI-powered chatbot designed to support HIV prevention, and she leverages large-scale datasets—including the NIH All of Us Research Program—to study how social, structural, and contextual factors influence health behaviors and care engagement. Her research aims to generate actionable insights and scalable tools to support real-world implementation and improve population-level outcomes.

INSHHR group

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