Network methods to study HIV spillover in communities using substances
Official title: Network-based study design, statistical, and modeling solutions for HIV among populations that use illicit substances: Informing interventions and policy in real-world settings using existing data
Funded at University of Rhode Island · NIH-11383576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A data-driven project will look at how HIV interventions affect people connected through social networks among Black men who have sex with men and who use illicit substances.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $686,619 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058994-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11383576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Black men who have sex with men in urban settings who use illicit substances and are part of HIV-related networks, with data available from existing cohorts.
✕Less likely to help
People not connected to the study networks or without access to the existing data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will analyze existing data and run simulations to understand how HIV prevention efforts influence people beyond the individuals who receive them, focusing on networks in Chicago. The work will develop methods to estimate spillover effects and create guidelines for designing future studies with sociometric networks. This collaboration between Chicago-area cohorts will help tailor interventions to real-world social settings and populations that are often underserved. By translating findings into actionable insights, the project aims to improve how we deploy HIV prevention in communities affected by substance use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could lead to more effective HIV prevention strategies that benefit whole communities, not just individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown spillover effects in other contexts, but this project aims to adapt and validate methods for this specific population and data setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buchanan, Ashley Lynn — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Buchanan, Ashley Lynn
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.