# Resilient HIV Implementation Science with Sexual and Gender Minority Youths using Evidence (RISE) Clinical Research Center

> **NIH NIH UG1** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2024 · $1,154,384

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Sexual and gender minority (young men who have sex with men [YMSM] and young transgender women
[YTW]) youths (ages 15-24 years) at risk of and living with HIV are poorly represented in international
implementation science (IS) research. The overarching goal of Resilient HIV Implementation Science with
SGM Youths using Evidence (RISE) Clinical Research Center is to make significant contributions to the
development and conduct of IS studies to improve HIV prevention and care continuum (PHCC). A strategic
planning process including a comprehensive review of our CRC's role in accelerating and maximizing the
integration of digital health into practice, increasing the scientific capacity for IS research with SGM youths,
translating findings to inform national and global guidelines on clinical management of SGM youths was
conducted to inform this proposal. A vision statement encompassing four Themes – Equity in Partnerships
for Access, Youth-tailored Intervention, Rigor IS Research, and Collaboration Capacity for
Sustainability shapes our work. The RISE Clinical Research Center is a multidisciplinary research group
composed of an administrative core at the University of Maryland Baltimore and five clinical research
performing sites (CRPSs) that represent a network of implementing partners and community-based HIV
service providers (CBSPs) in West, East, and Southern Africa: (1) Centre for Population Health Initiatives,
Nigeria (CPHI); (2) Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN); (3) Partners for Health & Development in
Africa, Kenya (PHDA); (4) Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP); and (5) Center for International
Health Education Biosecurity, Zambia (Ciheb Zambia). Together, we have over fifteen years of leadership
experience in the design, implementation, and conduct of health service studies with SGM youths in SSA and
the United States (US). Under the leadership of the multiple PIs, Man Charurat Ph.D, Lisa Hightow-Weidman
M.D., Sylvia Adebajo, PhD, a youth and SGM service delivery and policy-making multidisciplinary investigative
team together with representatives from AHISA in each country including Kate Muessig, Ph.D, – a behavioral
scientist, Nadia Sam-Agudu M.D. – AHISA Nigeria, Kwango Agot Ph.D, M.P.H – AHISA Kenya, Nora
Rosenberg, Ph.D. – AHISA Malawi, and Maurice Musheke, Ph.D. M.P.H – AHISA Zambia, we will participate
in the adaptation and customization of a digital health platform and conduct its implementation to support
PHCC among SGM youths. Centralized resources for regulatory compliance, data management, data quality,
and data analysis across the CRPSs promote RISE CRC's efficiency and quality. Collaboration capacity
with AHISA, health ministries, and youth advisory boards for community engagement, IS capacity
development, and sustainability will promote RISE CRC's impact locally and globally.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10918339
- **Project number:** 5UG1HD113162-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Sylvia Adebajo
- **Activity code:** UG1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,154,384
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10918339

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10918339, Resilient HIV Implementation Science with Sexual and Gender Minority Youths using Evidence (RISE) Clinical Research Center (5UG1HD113162-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10918339. Licensed CC0.

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