University of Louisville Public Health Doctoral Candidate Receives NIH National Research Service (F31) Award

Nqobile Nzama, doctoral candidate in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, has received a two-year, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Predoctoral Individual National Research Service (F31) Award for $74,348. 

The Kirschstein National Research Service Award program supports promising predoctoral students as they develop into independent research scientists through mentored research training while conducting dissertation research.

Nzama’s research, “Exploring Digital Platforms to Deliver Harm-Reduction Messaging to Enhance PrEP Adherence among Men who Misuse Alcohol: A Qualitative and Feasibility Study,” will examine how alcohol and illicit drug use may affect PrEP adherence among men at increased risk for HIV, with a focus on the role of digital platforms. 

Through interviews, researchers will explore how these platforms influence substance use and PrEP care as well as whether they can effectively deliver harm-reduction messaging. The findings could inform scalable, digitally delivered interventions that support PrEP adherence while addressing substance use and HIV prevention.

“Nqobile is strikingly talented and ambitious,” said Jelani Kerr, PhD, MSPH, Interim Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences. “It’s wonderful to see her achieve this goal. She demonstrated a great deal of drive and perseverance through the grant process. Beyond this, her work can really help in the design and development of effective HIV prevention strategies. She is interested in how we can use technology to help address this epidemic and this grant affirms the need for innovation in this area. We are so proud of Nqobile.” 

Kerr and Lesley Harris, PhD, Professor, Kent School of Social Work will serve as co-sponsors. Nzama’s mentorship team also includes Martin T. Hall, PhD, Professor, Kent School of Social Work, Shirish Barve, PhD, Professor, School of Medicine, and Ian W. Holloway, PhD, LCSW, MPH, Professor, Direction of Research and Innovation, Joe C. Wen School of Nursing, UCLA

“I am honored to receive this award and look forward to contributing to the ongoing effort to use technology to advance HIV prevention and harm reduction,” said Nzama. “I am deeply grateful to the mentors who have supported me throughout this journey. Most importantly, I am grateful to the community members and future study participants whose voices and experiences will help shape this work and ensure that it reflects the needs of the communities it aims to serve.”

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is the sponsor of this award. Additional information, including an abstract and public health statement,  may be found on the NIH’s RePORTER database.