UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Assistant Professor Rongbing Xie, DrPH, MPH, has been named a Forge AHEAD Center Scholar for the project entitled “Enhancing Recruitment and Retention for Black Females with HIV: Identifying Barriers, Facilitators, and the Role of Social Determinants for the Willingness to Participate in the HEALTH Study.”

Xie earned a master's degree in preparedness management and policy and a doctorate in public health from UAB. She specializes in statistics and has expertise in designing, developing, managing, and analyzing clinical and administrative databases.

In her research, Xie is focused on translating statistical findings into medical decision-making and shaping public health policies to enhance health outcomes.

"I am grateful to have received support for studying HIV prevention and management in the Southeast. I believe this project will have an impact on public health and will help address disparities in HIV care for the population of Alabama and beyond by enhancing access to care and fostering healthier communities," says Xie.

About the Forge AHEAD Center

The Forge AHEAD Center provides support and mentorship to scholars, empowering them to conduct impactful research on reducing HIV-related health disparities in the South. By funding these projects, the center is dedicated to advancing health equity for individuals living with HIV in Southern America.