Biography
As a behavioral scientist trained in clinical and
health psychology as well as in dissemination and implementation science, Dr.
Marhefka’s mixed-methods research has focused primarily on two areas: 1)
improving care and services for people living with HIV; and 2) supporting
positive child health outcomes through breastfeeding promotion. She has also
been involved in one National Institute of Child Health and Development
training grant (Haiti; R24HD077946; PIs: Lescano, C., and Rahill, G.) and served
as faculty for two Fogarty International programs designed to train HIV
researchers (Nigeria, D43TW001041,
PI: Blattner, W.; and India, D43TW006793, PI:
Emmanuel, P.). Additional information about her research areas follows:
1: Improving care and services for people
living with HIV.
Since 1999, her research has focused on
various concerns affecting this disadvantaged population, including: 1)
Assessing and understanding adherence to HIV-related medication regimens; 2)
Understanding and the addressing the psychosocial, behavioral, and sexual
health needs of youth and adults living with and at-risk for HIV infection; and
3) Using technology—especially group-based video-conferencing—to expand access
to effective behavioral interventions for people living with HIV. Her research
has been grant funded by the National Institute of Mental health. One example
is a wait-list controlled randomized trial to determine the acceptability and
feasibility of video-group delivery of a CDC-designation High Impact Prevention
intervention (R34MH092207). She and colleagues have also recently completed grant-funded
pilot work testing a group-based video-conferencing program to help people
living with HIV stop smoking—an important outcome considering that
tobacco-related illnesses are currently the #1 killer of people living with
HIV. Related to that work, she is
currently exploring mobile technology use and capacity among people living with
HIV to determine to what extent and for whom mobile technology might be used to
expand access to effective behavioral and supportive interventions
(R21MH108468). An important theme throughout her work has been understanding
how ehealth programs tested by
researchers could be disseminated and implemented in the “real world.”
2: Supporting positive child health outcomes
through breastfeeding promotion.
Dr. Marhefka
began working in this area when asked to lead a project exploring mothers’
interests in video-chat lactation consultation. That experience led to funded
projects focused on improving breastfeeding promotion in hospital neonatal
intensive care units and on breastfeeding support in childcare facilities.
Current work in this area is focused on developing an evidence base around
breastfeeding friendly childcare initiatives.