Meet our Programme Directors: Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology MSc

Dr Liz Fearon

Dr Liz Fearon is a Lecturer in Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Co-Director of the AIDE programme. Liz’s research focuses on the role of social networks in influencing disease transmission, health related behaviours and access to health promotion, stemming from an interest in understanding mechanisms by which social processes influence health outcomes, in order to reduce health inequalities and inequities.

Recent publications:

• High Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Poor Sensitivity and Specificity of Screening Algorithms for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Among Female Sex Workers in Zimbabwe: Analysis of Respondent-Driven Sampling Surveys in 3 Communities
• Population size, HIV prevalence, and antiretroviral therapy coverage among key populations in sub-Saharan Africa: collation and synthesis of survey data, 2010-23
• Improving modelling for epidemic responses: reflections from members of the UK infectious disease modelling community on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Visit Dr Fearon's UCL Profiles page

Professor Maryam Shahmanesh

Professor Maryam Shahmanesh is a Professor of global health and co-founded the AIDE programme in 2018. Maryam’s key area of focus within global health is working within the multiple disciplines of social science, clinical medicine and epidemiology to develop and use innovative methods to rapidly evaluate complex interventions.

Maryam serves on various national and international guideline committees, funding bodies, and scientific advisory committees. She has worked globally, including in North Burma, South Africa, and India.

Recent publications:

• Effectiveness of integrating HIV prevention within sexual reproductive health services with or without peer support among adolescents and young adults in rural KwaZuluNatal, South Africa (Isisekelo Sempilo): 2 x 2 factorial, open label, randomised controlled trial
• The association of exposure to DREAMS on sexually acquiring or transmitting HIV amongst adolescent girls and young women living in rural South Africa
• Kidney function in tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based oral pre-exposure prophylaxis users: a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature and a multi-country meta-analysis of individual participant data

Visit Prof Shahmanesh's UCL Profiles page

Dr Shema Tariq

Dr Shema Tariq is a Lecturer in Digital Health for Infectious Diseases and Gender and Health and Co-Director of the AIDE programme. Shema’s research focuses on medical microbiology, reproductive medicine, health services and systems and public health.

Shema’s interests are the health and well-being of women living with HIV; qualitative research approaches to pandemic preparedness; and mixed-methods, interdisciplinary and co-production approaches in health research.

Recent publications:

• Hearing the Silence and Silenced: Co-Producing Research on Infant-Feeding Experiences and Practices With Black Women With HIV
• The time has come for a UK-wide menopause education and support programme: InTune
• ‘COVID impacted my life in so many ways’: a qualitative study of the lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among people of Black ethnicities living with HIV in England

Visit Dr Tariq's UCL Profile page

Links

• Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology MSc prospectus page
• Study the Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology MSc - YouTube video