# Optimizing implementation of long-acting, injectable Cabotegravir for HIV prevention among adolescents and young adults in Zambia

> **NIH NIH K01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $163,252

## Abstract

This K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award application will facilitate Dr. Laura Beres’ career
development as a leading, productive, independent researcher conducting innovative implementation science
to maximize the real-world impact of HIV prevention interventions among high-risk populations in low-resource
settings. The proposed training plan and research implementation in Zambia will allow Dr. Beres to meet her
training objectives, developing the critical knowledge, skills, and competencies required to transition into an
independent researcher. She will: 1. Gain expertise in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and prevention
interventions, 2. Develop skills in evidence-based, stakeholder-informed implementation strategy specification
to optimize population-level impact of novel interventions, 3. Develop statistical expertise in discrete choice
experiments and latent class analysis, 4. Establish capacity in internet-based recruitment and data collection in
a low-resource setting, 5. Understand and measure developmental differences, including cognitive and
affective development, among adolescents and young adults and their associations with HIV prevention. Dr.
Beres’ mentoring team will support her successful achievement of her training, research, and career
development goals. Dr. Chris Beyrer, her primary mentor, is an international expert in HIV prevention. She has
five co-mentors: Dr. Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, an expert in LAI CAB as protocol chair of HPTN 084; Dr. Sheree
Schwartz, a leading HIV implementation scientist with latent class analysis expertise; Dr. John F.P. Bridges, an
international expert in discrete choice experiments; Dr. Julie Denison, an expert in adolescent and young adult
development and HIV in Zambia; and Dr. Izukanji Sikazwe, a leading HIV researcher and Chief Executive
Officer of Dr. Beres’ collaborating institution, the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ).
Her Scientific Advisor Dr. Smisha Agarwal is an expert in internet-based research in low-income settings. LAI
CAB PrEP was found superior to daily oral PrEP in clinical trials and received US FDA approval in December
2021 with international regulatory approvals pending. LAI CAB PrEP has the potential to prevent HIV among
those who experience barriers to effective oral PrEP use, including adolescents and young adults (AYA) in
sub-Saharan Africa who remain at highest risk of HIV incidence. The proposed K01 research utilizes
implementation science to establish evidence needed to optimize LAI CAB PrEP implementation for AYA in
Zambia, minimizing the time from proven LAI CAB PrEP efficacy to population impact: Aim 1. Assess the
fidelity and sustainability of implementation strategies for two related interventions: oral PrEP and injectable
contraception, to inform LAI CAB implementation using participatory process mapping; Aim 2. Identify
preferences for LAI CAB implementation and heterogeneity among AYA and healthcare workers using discrete
ch...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10548371
- **Project number:** 1K01MH130244-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura Beres
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $163,252
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10548371

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10548371, Optimizing implementation of long-acting, injectable Cabotegravir for HIV prevention among adolescents and young adults in Zambia (1K01MH130244-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-31 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10548371. Licensed CC0.

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