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Get to know us
FRESH is a research team at the Brown School of Public Health that is committed to understanding the drivers of social and health inequities among marginalized and stigmatized populations. The mission of Brown’s School of Public Health is to improve the health of all populations, especially those most vulnerable, by producing world-class public health scholarship, forging strong community partnerships, and educating the next generation of diverse public health leaders.
Our research is dedicated to identifying risk factors for health inequities among sexual, gender, and racial minority groups and developing interventions to prevent and treat HIV/STIs, substance use disorder, and other poor health outcomes.
Through our work, we strive to promote sexual wellness, substance use support, and health equity through evidence-based investigation, education, and action. We are committed to developing strong partnerships in our local, national, and global communities to share information and learn from one another.
FEATURED STUDY:
PrEPare for Work

PrEPare for Work is a research study testing a program to support male sex workers and men who exchange sex for money, goods, drugs, or other items of value with other men get linked to PrEP services and discuss their options around sexual health.
The study is completely confidential, can be done online over video chat, and pays up to $475 over the course of the study. $50 at your first visit!
FEATURED STUDY:
PrEP N' Shine
PrEP N' Shine is a research study testing a program to help transgender women and trans-feminine people get linked to PrEP services and discuss their HIV risk.
The study is completely confidential, can be done online over video chat, and pays up to $220 over the course of the study.
Active studies
Prepare for work
PrEPare for Work is a research study testing a program to help male sex workers and men who exchange sex for money, goods, drugs, or other items of value get linked to PrEP services and discuss their HIV risk.
The study is completely confidential, can be done online over video chat, and pays up to $475 over the course of the study. $50 at your first visit!
Positive steps
A program for HIV+ adolescents and young adults under 30 who struggle with taking their ART. We have developed a series of technology-enhanced problem-solving strategies to help individuals overcome difficulties sticking to a daily medication regimen.
points
POINTS (Preventing Overdoses Involving Stimulants) is a study to survey and interview people who use and distribute drugs and conduct drug checking of the local drug supply to understand risk and protective factors for stimulant-involved overdoses in 4 communities – Providence, RI; Brockton, MA, Lawrence, MA, and Lynn, MA.
More studies
ATN Impact
PrEP for Health
Making ART Work (Brazil)
Completed studies
stronger together
A couples-based approach to linkage to care and antiretroviral adherence in Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago.
Project grace
A mixed-methods study to assess the capacity of substance use treatment providers to care for trans people with substance use disorder.
combat
A Pilot RCT of a combined medication and behavioral activation treatment for people living with Opioid Use Disorder.
life skills
An efficacy test of uniquely targeted HIV risk reduction for young transgender women in Chicago and Boston.
prepare for work
A study among men who have sex with men about money, sex, and PrEP (a daily pill to prevent HIV).
voice now
A brief interview of transgender adults to voice their individual and community experiences.
pnup
An survey of adults who inject drugs and are living in non-urban areas across New England.
prepped to pay
A study among men who report paying for sex with other men about their interest in PrEP.
Meet the team

Jennifer Olson, MBA
Project Director
she/her

Vanessa Silva, BS
Project Manager
she/her

Evan Davis, BS, MSW
Study Interventionist
he/him

David Pletta, PhD, MPH
Research Scientist
he/him

Madeline Noh, MPH
Project Coordinator
she/her

Olly Richards, BSc
Research Assistant
he/they

Lance Nelson, BA
Project Coordinator
he/him

Yohansa Fernández, PhD, LMSW
Post-Doctoral Fellow
she/her

William Lodge II, MSc
Doctoral Candidate
he/him

Siena Napoleon, MPH
Doctoral Candidate
she/her
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Patrick Kelly, MPH
Doctoral Candidate
he/him

Tyler Alexander, BA
Graduate Research Assistant
she/her
Community partners
We are committed to developing strong partnerships in our local, national, and global communities to share information and learn from one another.

Fielding School of Public Health
650 Charles E Young Drive South
Los Angeles, CA 90095

415 South Street MS035
Waltham, MA 02453

100 Willow Street, 2nd floor
Lynn, MA 01901

Rhode Island Hospital
1125 N Main Street, Suite 215
Providence, RI 02906

640 Broad Street
Providence, RI 02907

30 North Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301

Fenway South End
142 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116

100 Water Street
Lawrence, MA 01841