Marjan Javanbakht
As an infectious disease epidemiologist, my research focuses on the syndemics of substance use, mental health, and infectious diseases. I have led and collaborated on diverse projects examining vaccine-preventable diseases, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections with a particular emphasis on the intersecting epidemics of HIV, substance use, and mental health. Further, much of this work is grounded in Southern California, providing me with a nuanced understanding of the region’s unique public health challenges and health disparities.
Center Affiliations
Education
- PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
- MPH, Yale University
- BA, University of California, Santa Barbara
Areas of Interest
Her research focuses on individual and contextual factors that place people at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV. Current research includes sexual risk behaviors among young people attending STD clinics, transmission behaviors among men recently infected with HIV, as well as rectal hygiene practices that may increase the risk of STI/HIV transmission. She previously investigated the epidemiology of anal intercourse among women as well as an examination of the context in which non-coital activities may increase the risk of STIs in women. She has also conducted a number of clinical epidemiology studies including an examination of factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral medications, the epidemiology of antiretroviral drug resistance, as well as clinical outcomes and laboratory monitoring for HIV-positive patients. She has directed and collaborated on a number of federally (NIH), state (California HIV/AIDS Research Program), and foundation (amfAR) funded research projects.