Who We Are

I am a special needs dentist who specializes in access to oral health care for patients with acquired disabilities, developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and/or complex medical conditions, including HIV. I also have my PhD in epidemiology, and my research interests primarily focus on the integration of oral and medical health and the professional role of dentists to screen and refer for systemic health conditions. My current leadership projects involve assessing provider stigma towards patients with substance use disorders and studying the interplay between HIV, oral health, mental health, and social determinants of health in women living with HIV across the lifespan (ranging from reproductive age to post-menopause).I am a special needs dentist who specializes in access to oral health care for patients with acquired disabilities, developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and/or complex medical conditions, including HIV. I also have my PhD in epidemiology, and my research interests primarily focus on the integration of oral and medical health and the professional role of dentists to screen and refer for systemic health conditions. My current leadership projects involve assessing provider stigma towards patients with substance use disorders and studying the interplay between HIV, oral health, mental health, and social determinants of health in women living with HIV across the lifespan (ranging from reproductive age to post-menopause). Read full profile here.

I am a licensed mental health clinician with training in motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. I have worked for over two decades in both inpatient and outpatient settings in the areas of mental health disorders, HIV infection, and substance use disorders. Since 2009, I have worked as a project coordinator for both the University of Miami and Columbia University, having served as a national implementation coordinator on multiple studies with the NIDA-funded Clinical Trials Network that have addressed coordinating access to care and improving treatment adherence and health outcomes for HIV positive participants. Since 2020, I have also served as the Co-Director of the MRC.

I have been in the research field since 1994! I was hired at that time by Dr. Lisa Metsch when she was at the University of Miami and transitioned to her Miami based research team in July 2012. I have gained so much insight from working in this field of research. I am so honored to work with such a great team at Columbia University.