John Sauceda, PhD, MS

Assistant Professor

I am health psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Division of Prevention Science at the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Co-Director of the Mentoring Program for the UCSF NIAID-funded Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), and Co-Director of the NIDA-funded Summer HIV/AIDS Research Program. Central to my research and roles at UCSF are a commitment to high-quality mentoring and working on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

My two research programs blend principles and methods from health, clinical and quantitative psychology and that are based on a collaborative team science approach. My primary line of research aims to understand and intervene on factors to address health disparities among Latinx communities impacted by HIV. I am particularly interested in applied psychometrics as I believe health disparities research should based on principles of sound measurement, especially of psychological constructs and social factors measured in Spanish or for comparing outcomes across diverse populations. I focuses broadly on using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to design more dynamic and efficient interventions. My second line of research aims to conduct social and behavioral science research to help address some unresolved challenges in HIV cure research, such as promoting consent understanding, measuring psychological experiences of participants going through risky HIV cure trials, and understanding the perspectives, priorities and concerns of people living with HIV who may be interested in participating in HIV cure research.

I have a deep commitment to mentoring across the pipeline, from young people who are aspiring researchers and clinicians through our NIDA-funded Summer HIV/AIDS Research Program (SHARP), up through early-career investigators in our UCSF-Gladstone CFAR Mentoring Program. I am particularly interested in mentoring individuals who are interested in Latinx and HIV health disparities research, and those interested in the social science of HIV cure research.
Education
2020 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, University of Californa, San Francisco
Fellowship, 2016 - Medicine - Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco
MSc in Global Health Sciences, 2014 - Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
PhD in Health Psychology, 2013 - Department of Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso
Quantitative Methods, 2013 - Department of Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso
MA in Clinical Psychology, 2010 - Department of Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso
Honors and Awards
  • Early Career Research Excellence Award - Behavioral Science, Gladstone-CFAR, 2019
  • LRP Award for Health Disparities Research, NIH/NIMHD, 2018-2020
  • LRP Award for Health Disparities Research, NIH/NIMHD, 2014-2016
Publications

  1. Christopoulos KA, Neilands TB, Koester KA, Sauceda JA, Dilworth SE, Mugavero MJ, Crane HM, Fredericksen RJ, Cachay ER, Mayer KH, Moore RD, Napravnik S, Johnson MO. The HIV Index: Using a Patient-Reported Outcome on Engagement in HIV Care to Explain Sub-Optimal Retention in Care and Virologic Control. 2020. PMID: 33372942


  2. Santiago-Rodríguez EI, Rivas CE, Maiorana A, Pérez AE, Erguera X, Johnson MO, Christopoulos KA, Marquez C, Sauceda JA. Unpacking the "backpack of shame": Exploring intersections of stigma among Latinx people living with HIV in San Francisco, CA. 2021. PMID: 34410754


  4. Dubé K, Kanazawa J, Taylor J, Dee L, Jones N, Roebuck C, Sylla L, Louella M, Kosmyna J, Kelly D, Clanton O, Palm D, Campbell DM, Onaiwu MG, Patel H, Ndukwe S, Henley L, Johnson MO, Saberi P, Brown B, Sauceda JA, Sugarman J. Ethics of HIV cure research: an unfinished agenda. 2021. PMID: 34193141


  5. Flentje A, Clark KD, Cicero E, Capriotti MR, Lubensky ME, Sauceda J, Neilands TB, Lunn MR, Obedin-Maliver J. Minority Stress, Structural Stigma, and Physical Health Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals: Examining the Relative Strength of the Relationships. 2021. PMID: 34228052


  6. Sauceda JA, Patel AR, Santiago-Rodriguez EI, Garcia D, Lechuga J. Testing for Differences in the Reporting of Somatic Symptoms of Depression in Racial/Ethnic Minorities. 2021. PMID: 34080483


  7. Dubé K, Kanazawa J, Campbell C, Boone CA, Maragh-Bass AC, Campbell DM, Agosto-Rosario M, Stockman JK, Diallo DD, Poteat T, Johnson M, Saberi P, Sauceda JA. Considerations for Increasing Racial, Ethnic, Gender, and Sexual Diversity in HIV Cure-Related Research with Analytical Treatment Interruptions: A Qualitative Inquiry. 2021. PMID: 33947268


  9. Santiago-Rodriguez EI, Maiorana A, Peluso MJ, Hoh R, Tai V, Fehrman EA, Hernandez Y, Torres L, Spinelli MA, Gandhi M, Kelly JD, Martin JN, Henrich TJ, Deeks SG, Sauceda JA. Characterizing the COVID-19 illness experience to inform the study of post-acute sequalae and recovery: a qualitative study. 2021. PMID: 33758881


  10. Dubé K, Kanazawa J, Dee L, Taylor J, Campbell DM, Brown B, Johnson MO, Saberi P, Sauceda JA, Sugarman J, Peluso MJ. Ethical and practical considerations for mitigating risks to sexual partners during analytical treatment interruptions in HIV cure-related research. 2021. PMID: 33757411


  11. Johnson MO, Fuchs JD, Sterling L, Sauceda JA, Saag MS, Fernandez A, Evans CH, Gandhi M. A mentor training workshop focused on fostering diversity engenders lasting impact on mentoring techniques: Results of a long-term evaluation. 2021. PMID: 34221458


  12. Peluso MJ, Kelly JD, Lu S, Goldberg SA, Davidson MC, Mathur S, Durstenfeld MS, Spinelli MA, Hoh R, Tai V, Fehrman EA, Torres L, Hernandez Y, Williams MC, Arreguin MI, Bautista JA, Ngo LH, Deswal M, Munter SE, Martinez EO, Anglin KA, Romero MD, Tavs J, Rugart PR, Chen JY, Sans HM, Murray VW, Ellis PK, Donohue KC, Massachi JA, Weiss JO, Mehdi I, Pineda-Ramirez J, Tang AF, Wenger M, Assenzio M, Yuan Y, Krone M, Rutishauser RL, Rodriguez-Barraquer I, Greenhouse B, Sauceda JA, Gandhi M, Hsue PY, Henrich TJ, Deeks SG, Martin JN. Rapid implementation of a cohort for the study of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection/COVID-19. 2021. PMID: 33758895


  13. Diepstra KL, Barr L, Palm D, Hogg E, Mollan K, Henley L, Stover A, Simoni J, Sugarman J, Brown B, Sauceda JA, Deeks SG, Fox L, Gandhi R, Smith DM, Li J, Dube K. Participant Perspectives and Experiences Entering an Intensively Monitored Antiretroviral Pause (IMAP): Results from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5345 Biomarker Study. 2021. PMID: 33472545


  15. Sauceda, J.A., Santiago-Rodriguez, E.I., Zaragoza, G., Rivas, C.E., Venegas, L., Zamudio-Haas, S., Gutierrez-Mock, L., Bass, S.B., & Sevelius.. Housing stability and transactional sex among Spanish-speaking and English-speaking transgender women 2020. PMID:


  17. Dubé, K., Hosey, L., Starr, K., Barr, L., Evans, D., Hoffman, E., Campbell, D.M., Simoni, J.M., Sugarman, J., Sauceda, J.A.,...Scully, E.. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 2020. PMID:


  18. Dubé K, Willenberg L, Dee L, Sylla L, Taylor J, Roebuck C, Palm D, Campbell D, Newton L, Patel H, Perry KE, Kanazawa J, Gerrard J, Brown B, Saberi P, Sauceda JA, Peluso MJ. Re-examining the HIV 'functional cure' oxymoron: Time for precise terminology? 2020. PMID: 33251025


  20. Dube K, Campbell DM, Perry KE, Kanazawa JT, Saberi P, Sauceda JA, Poteat T, Evans D. Reasons People Living with HIV Might Prefer Oral Daily Antiretroviral Therapy, Long-Acting Formulations, or Future HIV Remission Options. 2020. PMID: 32829645


  21. Christopoulos KA, Neilands TB, Dilworth S, Lisha N, Sauceda J, Mugavero MJ, Crane HM, Fredericksen RJ, Mathews WC, Moore RD, Mayer KH, Napravnik S, Johnson MO. Internalized HIV stigma predicts subsequent viremia in US HIV patients through depressive symptoms and antiretroviral therapy adherence. 2020. PMID: 32769764


  22. Dubé K, Perry KE, Mathur K, Lo M, Javadi SS, Patel H, Concha-Garcia S, Taylor J, Kaytes A, Dee L, Campbell D, Kanazawa J, Smith D, Gianella S, Auerbach JD, Saberi P, Sauceda JA. Altruism: Scoping review of the literature and future directions for HIV cure-related research. 2020. PMID: 33294210


  23. Dube K, Patel H, Concha-Garcia S, Perry KE, Mathur K, Javadi SS, Taylor J, Kaytes A, Brown B, Sauceda J, Little SJ, Hendrickx S, Rawlings S, Smith DM, Gianella S. Perceptions of Next-of-Kin/Loved Ones about Last Gift Rapid Research Autopsy Study Enrolling People with HIV/AIDS at the End-of-Life: A Qualitative Interview Study. 2020. PMID: 32449624


  24. Perry KE, Dubé K, Concha-Garcia S, Patel H, Kaytes A, Taylor J, Javadi SS, Mathur K, Lo M, Brown B, Sauceda JA, Wohl DA, Little S, Hendrickx S, Rawlings SA, Smith DM, Gianella S. "My Death Will Not [Be] in Vain": Testimonials from Last Gift Rapid Research Autopsy Study Participants Living with HIV at the End of Life. 2020. PMID: 32449625


  25. Pollack LM, Sauceda JA, Cotten PD, Blair J, Woods WJ. An Approach to Reducing Problematic Data in an ACASI Sexual Behavior Assessment. 2020. PMID: 32500813


  26. Maiorana A, Zamudio-Haas S, Sauceda J, Rodriguez-Díaz CE, Brooks RA, Santiago-Rodríguez E, Myers JJ. "Holidays Come, Sundays Come. It is Very Sad to be Alone": Transnational Practices and the Importance of Family for Mexican and Puerto Rican Latinxs Living with HIV in the Continental U.S. 2020. PMID: 32500399


  28. Sauceda JA, Lisha NE, Dilworth SE, Johnson MO, Christopoulos KA, Wood T, Koester KA, Mathews WC, Moore RD, Napravnik S, Mayer KH, Crane HM, Fredericksen RJ, Mugavero MJ, Neilands TB. Measuring engagement in HIV care: Measurement invariance in three racial/ethnic patient groups. 2020. PMID: 32281823


  29. Dube K, Hosey L, Starr K, Barr L, Evans D, Hoffman E, Campbell D, Simoni J, Sugarman J, Sauceda J, Brown B, Diepstra KL, Godfrey C, Kuritzkes DR, Wohl DA, Gandhi R, Scully E. Participant Perspectives in an HIV Cure-Related Trial Conducted Exclusively in Women in the United States: Results from AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) 5366. 2020. PMID: 32160755


  30. Peluso MJ, Dee L, Campbell D, Taylor J, Hoh R, Rutishauser RL, Sauceda J, Deeks SG, Dubé K. A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to HIV transmission risk mitigation during analytic treatment interruption. 2020. PMID: 32175090


  31. Dube K, Eskaf S, Evans D, Sauceda J, Saberi P, Brown B, Averitt D, Martel K, Meija M, Campbell D, Barr L, Kanazawa J, Perry K, Patel H, Luter S, Poteat T, Auerbach JD, Wohl DA. The Dose Response: Perceptions of People Living with HIV in the United States on Alternatives to Oral Daily Antiretroviral Therapy. 2019. PMID: 31608651


  32. Tuthill EL, Neilands TB, Johnson MO, Sauceda J, Mkandawire J, Conroy AA. A Dyadic Investigation of Relationship Dynamics and Depressive Symptoms in HIV-Affected Couples in Malawi. 2019. PMID: 31273489


  33. Christopoulos KA, Neilands TB, Hartogensis W, Geng EH, Sauceda J, Mugavero MJ, Crane HM, Fredericksen RJ, Moore RD, Mathews WC, Mayer KH, Chander G, Hurt CB, Johnson MO. Internalized HIV Stigma Is Associated With Concurrent Viremia and Poor Retention in a Cohort of US Patients in HIV Care. 2019. PMID: 31513551


  34. Johnson MO, Neilands TB, Koester KA, Wood T, Sauceda JA, Dilworth SE, Mugavero MJ, Crane HM, Fredericksen RJ, Mayer KH, Mathews WC, Moore RD, Napravnik S, Christopoulos KA. Detecting Disengagement from HIV Care Before It's Too Late: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Novel Index of Engagement in HIV Care. 2019. PMID: 30865180


  35. Sauceda JA, Brooks RA, Xavier J, Maiorana A, Georgetti Gomez L, Zamudio-Haas S, Rodriguez-Diaz CE, Cajina A, Myers J. From Theory to Application: A Description of Transnationalism in Culturally-Appropriate HIV Interventions of Outreach, Access, and Retention Among Latino/a Populations. 2018. PMID: 29767401


  36. Koester KA, Johnson MO, Wood T, Fredericksen R, Neilands TB, Sauceda J, Crane HM, Mugavero MJ, Christopoulos KA. The influence of the 'good' patient ideal on engagement in HIV care. 2019. PMID: 30921440


  37. Sauceda JA, Lisha NE, Neilands TB, Christopoulos KA, Mathews WC, Levison JH, Dennis AM, Johnson MO. Cognitive-affective depressive symptoms and substance use among Latino and non-Latino White patients in HIV care: an analysis of the CFAR network of integrated clinical systems cohort. 2018. PMID: 30377875


  38. Wood TJ, Koester KA, Christopoulos KA, Sauceda JA, Neilands TB, Johnson MO. If someone cares about you, you are more apt to come around: improving HIV care engagement by strengthening the patient-provider relationship. 2018. PMID: 29872277


  40. Sauceda JA, Wiebe JS, Chan K, Kutner BA, Simoni JM. Acculturation, family cohesion, and mental health among Latinos living with HIV on the U.S.-Mexico border. 2018. PMID: 29389148


  43. Conroy AA, Gamarel KE, Neilands TB, Sauceda JA, Darbes LA, Dilworth SE, Taylor JM, Johnson MO. Partner Reports of HIV Viral Suppression Predict Sexual Behavior in Serodiscordant Male Couples. 2016. PMID: 27367791


  46. Peluso MJ, Dee L, Shao S, Taylor J, Campbell D, Collins S, Gandhi M, Johnston R, Deeks SG, Sauceda JA, Dubé K. Operationalizing HIV cure-related trials with analytic treatment interruptions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A collaborative approach. 2020. PMID: 32841311


  47. Simoni JM, Wiebe JS, Sauceda JA, Huh D, Sanchez G, Longoria V, Andres Bedoya C, Safren SA. A preliminary RCT of CBT-AD for adherence and depression among HIV-positive Latinos on the U.S.-Mexico border: the Nuevo Día study. 2013. PMID: 23812892


  48. Sauceda JA, Wiebe JS, Rao D, Pearson CR, & Simoni JM. Stigma, Discrimination, and HIV/AIDS: A Cross-Cultural Perspective 2013. PMID:


  49. Wiebe JS, Sauceda JA, Lara C. Guide to Psychological Assessment with Hispanics 2012. PMID:


  50. Sauceda JA, Loya AM, Sias JJ, Taylor T, Wiebe JS, Rivera JO. Medication literacy in Spanish and English: psychometric evaluation of a new assessment tool. 2012. PMID: 23229985


  51. Zogg JB, Woods SP, Sauceda JA, Wiebe JS, Simoni JM. The role of prospective memory in medication adherence: a review of an emerging literature. 2011. PMID: 21487722