John Sauceda, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor
I have two lines of research that 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. Regarding intervention research, I focuses broadly on using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy to design more dynamic and efficient interventions, such as sequencing behavioral therapies for depression to improve HIV care engagement. 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. Across both lines of research in HIV treatment and care outcomes and cure research, the role of mental health and robust measurement remain central priorities.
Additionally, I have a deep commitment to mentoring across the pipeline, from young people who are aspiring researchers through our NIDA-funded Summer HIV/AIDS Research Program (SHARP), up through early-career investigators in my role as Co-Director of the 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.
Additionally, I have a deep commitment to mentoring across the pipeline, from young people who are aspiring researchers through our NIDA-funded Summer HIV/AIDS Research Program (SHARP), up through early-career investigators in my role as Co-Director of the 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.