Our Research

Our extensive research experience began in the 1970s with behavioral and biomedical studies focusing on substance use and other health conditions and expanded in the late 1980s with HIV-related research. More recently, we have developed an expertise in hepatitis C research. For the past 24 years, We have been an active member in the New York Node of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (NIDA CTN). The NIDA CTN is a nationwide collaboration dedicated to conducting effectiveness studies of behavioral and pharmacological interventions across a wide range of community-based treatment settings, playing a substantive role in shaping and advancing the treatment of substance use disorders.

Connect with Our Team

Current Projects

Overdose Prevention

Smartphones for Opiate Addiction Recovery (SOAR)

Funding Agency: NYU With NIDA support, the NYU investigative team developed and [...]

Infectious Disease

Preventing Infectious Disease in People who use Drugs

Funding Agency: Public Health Solutions, Inc., NYC DOHMH With funding from the [...]

Mental Health

THRIVE: Treatment for Harnessing Resiliency, Improving Emotional Regulation, and Empowering IndiViduals for a Brighter Future

Nearly all (97%) persons in methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) are estimated to [...]

Recent Scholarly Contributions

Manuscripts

Dickerson, SS; George, SJ; Ventuneac, A; Dharia, A; Talal, AH: Care Integration for Hepatitis C Virus Treatment through Facilitated Telemedicine within Opioid Treatment Programs: Qualitative Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2024 Jun 12;26:e53049.
Talal, AH; George, SJ; Talal, LA; Dharia, A; Ventuneac, A; Baciewicz, G, Perumalswami, PV; Dickerson, SS: Engaging People who Use Drugs in Clinical Research: Integrating facilitated Telemedicine for HCV into Substance Use Treatment. BMC Research Involvement and Engagement. 2023 Aug 2;9(1):63.
Talal, AH; Markatou, M; Liu, A, Permalswami, PV; Dinani, AM; Tobin, JN; Brown, LS: Integrated Hepatitis C–Opioid Use Disorder Care Through Facilitated Telemedicine A Randomized Trial. JAMA, doi:10.1001/jama.2024.2452, Published online April 3, 2024.
Ventuneac, A; Dickerson, SS; Dharia, A; George, SJ; Talal, AH: Scaling and Sustaining Facilitated Telemedicine to Expand Treatment Access among Underserved Populations: A Qualitative Study. Telemedicine and e-Health. 2023 Dec 1;29(12):1862-9.

Presentations

Scaling and Sustaining Facilitated Telemedicine for Patient-Centered Healthcare for Vulnerable Populations: Perspectives of Clinical Staff and Administrators in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). Presented at the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) 2023 Annual Conference March 4-6, 2023 in San Antonio, TX.
Implementing Hepatitis C Screening and Treatment in a System of Medication Assisted Treatment Programs in NYC. Presented at the Disrupting Silos in Healthcare: Breaking Barriers in Incorporating Hepatitis into the World of HIV. NY Knows, May 31, 2023
Building Capacities in Opioid Treatment Programs for Hepatitis C Treatment Services & Care Management Supports. Presented at the 2024 Annual New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Progress Report Meeting, May 15, 2024.
THRIVE Study: Abstracts were presented as posters 2/7/2024 at the NIH HEAL Initiative Scientific Meeting.

Archive

Substance Use Research

HIV/AIDS Research

Bini EJ, Kritz SA, Brown LS, Robinson J, Alderson D, Rotrosen J. Barriers to providing health services for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C virus infection, and sexually transmitted infections in substance abuse treatment programs in the United States. Journal of Addictive Diseases. 2011:30:98-109
Brown LS, Kritz SA, Muhammad A,. Bini EJ, Goldsmith RJ, Robinson J, Alderson D, Hasin DS, Rotrosen J. Disparities in health services for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C virus, and sexually transmitted infections: role of substance abuse treatment programs. Journal of Addiction Medicine 2009:3: 95-102.
Brown LS, Kritz SA, Goldsmith RJ, Bini EJ, Robinson J, Alderson D, Rotrosen J. Health services for HIV/AIDS, HCV, and sexually transmitted infections in substance abuse treatment programs. Public Health Reports 2007: 122: 441-451
Sorensen JL, Brown LS, Calsyn D, Tross S, Booth RE, Song Y, Normand J. AIDS Research in the NIDA Clinical Trials Network: Emerging Results. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2007: 89: 310-313
Brown LS, Kritz SA, Goldsmith JR, Rotrosen J, Baker S, Robinson J, McAuliffe P. Characteristics of Substance Abuse Treatment Programs Providing Services for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C Virus Infection, and Sexually Transmitted Infections: The National Clinical Trials Network. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment; 2006:30:315-321
Brown LS, Kritz S, Chu M, Madray C. Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability of Nelfinavir-Containing Antiretroviral Therapy for Patients Coinfected with HIV and Hepatitis C Undergoing Methadone Maintenance. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment; 2006:30:331-335.
Rawlings KM, Thompson M, Farthing C, Brown, LS, Racine J, Scott RC, Crawford KH, Goodwin D, Tolson JM, Williams VC, and Shaefer MS. for the NZTA4006. Helping to Enhance Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (HEART) Study Team. J.Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2003;34:174-183
DeHovitz JA, Feldman J, Brown LS, Minkoff H: Sexual risk behaviors among subgroups of heterosexual HIV infected patients in an urban setting. Genitourin Med 1997; 73:552-554
Gordin FM, Matts, JP, Miller C, Brown LS, Hafner R, John SL, Klein M, Vaughin A, Besch LC, Perez G, Szabo S, El-Sadr W. A controlled trial of isoniazid in persons with anergy and human immunodeficiency virus infection who are at high risk for tuberculosis. N Engl J Med. 1997;337:315-20.
Brown LS, Sawyer RC, Li R, Cobb MN, Colborn DC, Narang PK. Lack of a pharmacologic interaction between rifabutin and methadone in HIV-infected former injecting drug users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 1996;43:71- 77.
Brown LS, Siddiqui NS, Chu AF. Natural history of HIV-1 infection and predictors of survival in an cohort of HIV-1seropositive injecting drug users. J Natl Med Assoc. 1996;88:37-42.
Battjes RJ, Pickens RW, Brown LS. HIV infection and AIDS risk behaviors among injecting drug users entering methadone treatment: an update. J. AIDS 1995;10:90-96.
Webster CT, Gordin FM, Matts JP, Korvick JA, Miller C, Muth K, Brown LS, Besch CL, Kumi JO, Salveson C, Bincsik A, Irvin K, Maiatico G. Two-stage tuberculin skin testing in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 1995;151:805-808.
Melnick SL, Sherer R, Louis TA, Hillman D, Rodriguez EM, Lackman C, Capps L, Brown LS, Carlyn M, Vermund SH, Korvick JA, Deyton L. Survival and disease progression according to gender of patients enrolled in the Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA). JAMA. 1994;272:1915-1921.
Jacobson M, Besch CL, Child C, Hafner R, Matts JP, Muth K, Wentworth DN, Neaton JD, Abrams D, Rimland D, Perez G, Grant IH, Saravolatz LD, Brown LS, Deyton L. Primary prophylaxis with pyrimethamine for toxoplasmic encephalitis in patients with advanced HIV disease: results of a randomized trial. J Infect Dis 1994;169:384-94.
Brown LS, Phillips, RY, Brown CL, Knowlan D, Castle L, Moyer J. HIV/AIDS policies and sports: the National Football League. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;26:403-407
Brown LS, Hickson MJ, Ajuluchukwu DC, Bailey J. Medical disorders in a cohort of New York City Drug Abusers; much more than HIV disease. J. Addictive Dis 1993;12:11-27.
Sawyer RC, Brown LS, Bailey J, Hickson, M, Lee P, McNair D, Rawls J, Skinner A. Drug abuse treatment programs as centers for HIV-related research and treatment. J Addictive Dis 1993;12:121-129.
Ajuluchukwu DC, Brown LS, Crummey FC, Foster KF, Ismail YI, Siddiqui N. Demographic, medical history and sexual correlates of HIV Seropositive methadone maintained women. J Addictive Dis 1993;12:105-120.
Siddiqui NS, Brown LS, Meyer TJ, Gonzalez V. Decline in HIV-1 seroprevalence and low seroconversion rate among injecting drug users at a methadone maintenance program in New York City. J Psychoactive Drugs 1993;25:245-250.
Brown LS. Enrollment of drug abusers in HIV clinical trials: a public health imperative for communities of color. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 1993;25:45-52.
Siddiqui NS, Brown LS, Makuch RW, Phillips RY, Ajuluchukwu DC. No seroconversions among steady sex partners of HIV-1 seropositive injecting drug users in New York City. AIDS 1992;6:1529-1533.
Skinner A, Walls L, Brown LS. AIDS-related behavioral research and nursing. J Natl Med Assoc. 1991;83:585- 589.
Brown LS, Chu A. Lee H, Allain JP. Hematological indices in a cohort of HTLV-I/II and HIV-I infected intravenous drug users in New York City. J National Med Assoc. 1991;83: 677-679.
Nemoto T, Brown LS, Foster K. Effect of psychological factors on risk behaviors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among IVDUs. Intern J Addictions 1991;26:441-456.
Brown LS, Chu A, Allain JP, et al. Seroepidemiology and clinical aspects of human T-cells lymphotropic virus type I/II infection in a cohort of New York City intravenous drug users. New York State J Med 1991;91:93-97.
Boto WMO, Brown LS, Chrest J, Adler WH. Distinct modulatory effects of bryostatin I and staruosporine on the biosynthesis and expression off the HIV receptor protein (CD4) by T-cells. Cell Regulation 1991;2:95-103.
Brown LS. Clinical aspects of drug abuse in diabetes. Diabetes Spectrum 1991;4:45-47.
Burkett W, Brown LS. Deaths, AIDS morbidity and HIV Seroprevalence in NYC IVDAs. J Natl Med Assoc 1990;82:777-779.
Battjes RJ, Pickens RW, Amsel Z, Brown LS. Heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus among intravenous drug users. J. Infect Dis 1990;162:1007-1011.
Lee HH, Weiss SH, Brown LS, et al. Patterns of HIV and HTLV-I/II in intravenous drug abusers from the Middle Atlantic and Central regions of the United States. J. Infect Dis 1990;162:347-352.
Bailey JA, Brown LS. Serologic investigations in a cohort of New York City.
Brown LS. The impact of AIDS on drug abuse treatment. In: Pickens RW, Leukefeld CG, Schuster CR (Eds): Improving Drug Abuse Treatment, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Research Monograph 106, 1991. DHHS publication no. (ADM) 91-1754, pages 385-393.
Brown LS, Primm BJ. A perspective on the spread of AIDS among minority intravenous drug abusers. In: AIDS and Intravenous Drug Abuse Among Minorities. National Institute on Drug Abuse 1990, DHHS Publication no.(ADM) 90-1637, pages 3023.
Brown LS. Black intravenous drug users: prospects for intervening in the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus infection. In: Leukeld CG, Battjes RJ, Amsel Z (Eds): AIDS and Intravenous Drug Use: Future Directions for Community-based Prevention Research. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research Monograph 93, 1990. DHHS publication no. (ADM) 90-1627, pages 53-67.
Baker LF, Brown LS, Des Jarlais DC, et al. AIDS and IV drug use. In: CF Turner, HG Miller, LE Moses (Eds): AIDS Sexual Behavior and Intravenous Drug Use. National Research Council. National Academy Press, 1989. Washington DC, pages 186-255.
Brown LS, Murphy DL, Primm BJ. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: do drug dependency and ethnicity share a common pathway. In: Harris L (Ed): Problems of Drug Dependence, 1987: Proceedings of the 49th Annual Scientific Meeting. Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence. National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Monograph 81, 1988. DHHS publication no. (ADM) 88-1564, pages 188-194.

Hepatitis C Virus Research

Talal AH , Jaanimagi U, Davis K , Bailey J, Bauer BM a , Dharia A , George S , McLeod A , Morton K , Nugent A , Zeremski M , Dinani A , Des Jarlais DC, Perumalswami PV, Tobin JN , Suzanne S. Dickerson. Facilitating engagement of persons with opioid use disorder in treatment for hepatitis C virus infection via telemedicine: Stories of onsite case managers. April 20, 2021 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108421
Talal AH, Andrews P, Mcleod A, Chen Y, Sylvester C, Markatou M, Brown LS. Integrated, Co-located, Telemedicine-based Treatment Approaches for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Management in Opioid Use Disorder Patients on Methadone. Clin Infect Dis 2019; 69: 323-31.
Talal AH, McLeod A, Andrews P, Nieves-McGrath H, Chen Y, Reynolds A, Sylvester C, Dickerson SS, Markatou M, Brown LS. Patient Reaction to Telemedicine for Clinical Management of Hepatitis C Virus Integrated into an Opioid Treatment Program. Telemedicine and E-Health, 2019; 25: 791-801.
Talal AH, Andrews P, Mcleod A, Chen Y, Sylvester C, Markatou M, Brown LS Clinical Infectious Diseases (17 October 2018 online prepublication). PMID: 30329042
Talal AH, McLeod A, Andrews P, Nieves-McGrath H, Chen Y, Reynolds A, Sylvester C, Dickerson SS, Markatou M, Brown LS Telemedicine and e-Health (16 October 2018 online prepublication). PMID: 30325701
Talal A, Chen Y, Zeremski M, Zavala R, Sylvester C, Kuhns M, Brown LS, Markatou M, Cloherty G. Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen: A Potential Alternative to HCV RNA Testing among Persons with Substance Abuse Disorders. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (2017) 78:37-42.
Zeremski M, Zavala R, Dimova RB, Chen Y, Kritz S, Sylvester C, Brown LS, Talal AH. Improvements in HCV-related Knowledge Among Substance Users on Opioid Agonist Therapy After an Educational Intervention. Journal of Addiction Medicine (2016 March/April) 10(2): 104-9.
Brown LS. Talal A, Andrews P, McLeod A, Zeremski, Chen Y, Sylvester C. Integrated telemedicine-based treatment for hepatitis C at an opioid agonist treatment program. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2016; 171
Bini EJ, Kritz S, Brown LS Jr, Robinson J, Calsyn D, Alderson D, Tracy K, McAuliffe P, Smith C, Rotrosen J. Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus services offered by substance abuse treatment programs in the United States. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2012 Jun;42(4):438-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2011.09.007. Epub 2011 Oct 27.
Hepatitis C virus-related knowledge and willingness to receive treatment among patients on methadone maintenance. Zeremski M, Dimova RB, Zavala R, Kritz S, Lin, M, Smith BD, Zibbell JE, PhD, Talal AH. Journal of Addiction Medicine (2014 July/August) 8(4): 249-57.
Hepatitis C virus control among persons who inject drugs requires overcoming barriers to care. Zeremski M, Zibbell JE, Martinez AD, Kritz S, Smith BD, Talal AH. World Journal of Gastroenterology. (2013 November 28) 19(44):7846-7851.

Community Driven Approach

Advancing health equity is at the core of StartCare℠ mission. As such, we strive to conduct behavioral, biomedical and health services research that generates evidence to sustain and scale effective care and prevention practices that meet the needs of our communities.

We design and develop research projects that apply social justice and racial equity frameworks to address drivers of health disparities and promote access to care. This includes evaluating StartCare℠ services for equitable access, meaningful outcomes, positive participant experience, and community impact to inform quality improvement and program development. Our research portfolio is focused on contributing to and building on evidence-based practices, including innovative behavioral health interventions, HIV and viral hepatitis prevention and treatment, and technological innovations for overdose prevention.

Innovative Care for Infectious Disease

Our infectious disease work is an example of our approach in action. Funded by grants from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) Viral Hepatitis Program, and the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), we have demonstrated capacity to design, develop, and implement programs that make routine screening and treatment services more accessible to underserved communities, particularly to people who may not access healthcare settings at all due to stigma and other access-related barriers.