Departmental Affiliations
Center & Institute Affiliations
Research Interests
HIV; hepatitis C; sexually transmitted infections; substance use; drug-related harms; mental health; stigma; social epidemiology; surveillance; laboratory diagnostics; key populations
Additional Links
Experiences & Accomplishments
My research focuses on the laboratory detection, epidemiology, and prevention of infectious diseases, particularly HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections. I evaluate and apply serologic assays to understand the population-level distribution and multilevel determinants of these diseases. A key aspect of my work examines how social and structural factors—such as stigma—shape infectious disease risk and prevention among priority populations, especially people who inject drugs. I examine the interplay of these factors with mediating mechanisms like risk behaviors (e.g., substance use), mental health, and engagement in prevention and treatment services. This research aims to inform intervention strategies that disrupt infectious disease transmission at the population level and improve the overall health and well-being of affected communities. My collaborations span Baltimore, Uganda, and India.
Honors & Awards
2022 Charlotte Silverman Fund Award, Department of Epidemiology, BSPH
2022 Virtual Scholarship, AIDS 2022, International AIDS Society
2021 New Investigator Award, Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections
2021 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, National Institute on Drug Abuse
2020 International Scholarship Award, AIDS 2020: Virtual; International AIDS Society
2018 Editor’s Choice Article (PMID: 29584878), The Journal of Infectious Diseases
2016 Editor’s Choice Article (PMID: 26768250), The Journal of Infectious Diseases
2016 Young Investigator Award, Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections
2015 Young Investigator Award, Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections
2013 Phi Beta Kappa, Washington College
Select Publications
Patel EU, Astemborski J, Feder KA, Rudolph JE, Winiker A, Sosnowski DW, Kirk GD, Mehta SH, Genberg BL. Temporal association of pre-pandemic perceived social support with psychological resilience and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with a history of injection drug use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2023;244:109802.
Patel EU, Genberg BL, Zhu X, Krawczyk N, Mehta SH, Tobian AAR. HIV and Hepatitis C Virus Testing and Treatment Services in Specialty Treatment Facilities That Offer Medication for Opioid Use Disorder in the US. JAMA. 2022;327(8):776-777.
Patel EU, Solomon SS, Lucas GM, McFall AM, Srikrishnan AK, Kumar MS, Iqbal SH, Saravanan S, Paneerselvam N, Balakrishnan P, Laeyendecker O, Celentano DD, Mehta SH. Temporal change in population-level prevalence of detectable HIV viraemia and its association with HIV incidence in key populations in India: a serial cross-sectional study. The Lancet HIV. 2021;8(9):e544-e553.
Patel EU, Solomon SS, Lucas GM, McFall AM, Tomori C, Srikrishnan AK, Kumar MS, Laeyendecker O, Celentano DD, Thomas DL, Quinn TC, Mehta SH. Drug use stigma and its association with active hepatitis C virus infection and injection drug use behaviors among community-based people who inject drugs in India. International Journal of Drug Policy. 2021;96:103354.
Patel EU, Bloch EM, Clarke W, Hsieh YH, Boon D, Eby Y, Fernandez RE, Baker OR, Keruly M, Kirby CS, Klock E, Littlefield K, Miller J, Schmidt HA, Sullivan P, Piwowar-Manning E, Shrestha R, Redd AD, Rothman RE, Sullivan D, Shoham S, Casadevall A, Quinn TC, Pekosz A, Tobian AAR, Laeyendecker O. Comparative Performance of Five Commercially Available Serologic Assays To Detect Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and Identify Individuals with High Neutralizing Titers. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2021;59(2):e02257-20.