Keri

N.

Althoff

,

PhD

I use large-scale longitudinal data to answer otherwise unanswerable questions and improve health, particularly for populations under-represented in research. I have developed best practices for research collaborations, addressing bias in harmonized individual-level data collected using unique (not single) study protocols, and detailed strength and pitfalls of nested longitudinal study design in databases derived from electronic health records. I have translated these longitudinal cohort collaboration methods to nested studies in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes [ECHO] study, and to produce empirical evidence to guide COVID-19 vaccination recommendations in people with HIV by establishing the Corona-Infectious-Virus Epidemiology Team (CIVETs) collaboration of cohorts. Utilizing my longitudinal study design expertise, I oversee the data management and analyses for the first cohort of transgender women to assess HIV incidence (the LITE/ENCORE study) and the Design Working Group for the HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study.

I have gained content expertise in aging with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. I estimate the impact of HIV-related and non-HIV-related risk factors on comorbidities to determine appropriate interventions for sub-groups. I forecast comorbidities and multimorbidity in 15 sub-groups of people with HIV using an agent-based simulation model I developed levering the rich longitudinal NA-ACCORD data. I think critically of the appropriate comparison groups for non-AIDS-related comorbidities in adults aging with HIV.

I have also gained content expertise in monitoring the quality of HIV care in the United States and progress towards the goals of the US National HIV/AIDS Strategy and Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. By creating benchmarks and annual monitoring of progress towards national goals, and quantifying health disparities by demographic and geographic characteristics, I elucidate progress on the Strategy’s goals, including among important sub-groups. Finally, I am focused on extending the HIV Care Continuum to include indicators that are meaningful in the decades people live with HIV.

Importantly, I translate my research findings to scientific and non-scientific communities. Given the rise in distrust in scientists and public health professionals, my goal when communicating with lay audience is to lead with listening so that my communication is helpful to their daily lives and decision-making and helps, in whatever small way, to restore trust in scientists. I am also focused on developing tools to translate my research finings to policy and program decision-makers who could use the findings to improve health.