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Behavioral Innovations Core

The Behavioral Innovations Core (BIC) provides research support, consultation, technical assistance, and training in applied behavioral science and related technological innovation.

The BIC sits at the intersection of behavioral science and digital health, and provides support, knowledge, and skills in different contexts to further HIV prevention and care research while addressing health differences, access, ethics and policy. Advances in HIV care and prevention require substantial behavioral considerations for optimal uptake. Our efforts leverage behavioral science and digital health to advance HIV care and prevention efforts. At our core we aim to promote interdisciplinary HIV research, provide consultations and mentorship through the following actions:

  • Maintain a relevant resource database
  • Organize symposia to promote local and regional cross-disciplinary collaboration
  • Facilitate coordinated responses to funding opportunities
  • Provide consultation services related to behavioral science and digital health
  • Provide technical assistance related to behavioral science and theory

The BIC has a strong focus on building partnerships with community in order to raise community voices, support the development and advance work of individuals who represent the communities disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic, and expand HIV workforce capabilities to make a sustainable impact on curbing the worldwide HIV epidemic.

 

Consultations

Behavioral Innovations Core (BIC) within UW/Fred Hutch CFAR provides consultations for both research and social media. To access either consulting service, please complete the form below by clicking on the link in the blue box. This will help the Core coordinate support for your requested activities. When submitted, this form will be sent to BIC Faculty and the BIC Research Coordinator. If you have any questions, please email cfarbic@uw.edu.

Behavioral Innovations Consultation Form

  • Research Consultations provide technical assistance and training on behavioral theory (including structural and multilevel models), digital data capture, behavioral outcomes measurement (including geospatial and social networking data), TelePrEP, telehealth, and other digital health intervention services, and health access and policy.
  • Social Media Consultations via a UW social media specialist. Consultation topics can include what social media platforms to use to broaden the reach of your research, how to enhance study recruitment, how to best disseminate research information and activities, and how to coordinate health messaging with community partners. After filling out a consultation form, you will receive a quote. Interested clients can be external or internal to UW. This service is free to trainees.
Database Design Management - Standing Meeting
  • Offered as a once-a-month “office hour” to provide study database design support to early-stage investigators (ESI). ESI can include MPH students or PhD students and can be from any department within UW. See CFAR Calendar for dates.
Other
  • Tailored workshop trainings in REDCap, ODK etc. to fit the needs of your desired didactic
  • Professional networking and connections for and within its listserv members
  • Monthly email updates — Listserv subscription link
  • Quarterly Seminars
  • REDCap Workshop Series
  • Cross-core CFAR collaborations
    • Administrative Core and Office of Community Engagement Seminar will host a nationally recognized researcher working in behavioral research and/or digital health. (annual)
    • Behavioral Innovations Symposium fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers and community members (annual)
    • Implementation Science Core Seminar co-sponsored by BIC. (twice annually)
  • Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Group Assist early stage investigators in securing funding, actively publishing, and otherwise advancing in their careers. We have a successful track record, with many members focused on applying for, completing, or transitioning off a K or other post-doctoral award. Interested investigators should send a biosketch or CV to  cfarBIC@uw.edu
Digital Health & HIV Research Publications

Digital Health Interventions in HIV

– Digital Strategies for HIV Prevention 

  • Kamitani, E., et al. (2024). A Community Guide Systematic Review: Digital HIV PrEP Interventions. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 67(2), 303-310.
    Examines digital interventions improving PrEP uptake and adherence, including mobile apps and SMS-based reminders. 

– Digital Tools for HIV Testing & Partner Notification 

  • Fischer, A.E., et al. (2023). Evolution of HIV Self-Testing & Digital Support. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 5, 1121478.
    Discusses digital tools improving access to and engagement with HIV self-testing, including telehealth and online support. 

– Digital Interventions for Treatment & Adherence 

  • Budhwani, H., et al. (2022). Adapting Digital Health Interventions for HIV Treatment. Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS, 17(2), 112-118.
    Explores personalized digital health approaches to enhance HIV prevention and treatment in evolving landscapes. 

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & HIV Research

–  AI for HIV Risk Prediction & Prevention 

  • Fieggen, J., et al. (2022). Machine Learning in HIV Risk Prediction. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 4, 1062387.
    Explores machine learning models for predicting individual HIV risk and guiding targeted prevention efforts. 
  • Marcus, J.L., et al. (2020). AI & Machine Learning for HIV Prevention. Current HIV/AIDS Reports, 17(3), 171–179.
    Examines AI-driven tools such as chatbots and predictive analytics for HIV prevention. 
  • Xiang, Y., et al. (2022). AI Applications in HIV Prevention Interventions. The Lancet HIV, 9(1), e54–62.
    Highlights AI-powered solutions for optimizing HIV prevention strategies, from risk stratification to digital outreach campaigns. 

–  AI for Enhancing PrEP & ART Uptake 

  • Kamitani, E., et al. (2024). AI & Automation to Improve PrEP Uptake. AIDS (London, England), 38(10), 1560–1569.
    A systematic review of AI-enhanced interventions to increase PrEP adherence and accessibility. 

–  Ethical Considerations & AI in HIV Research 

  • Bergman, A.J., et al. (2024). Ethical AI Use in HIV Research. JANAC, 35(5), 450–455.
    Raises key ethical considerations for integrating AI into HIV research, including bias mitigation and equitable data use. 
Resources

See our comparison of electronic data capture tools for research data. Objective: We developed this comparison table which features digital health technologies commonly used for electronic data capture to support researchers in making decisions about which tool is best suited for their project. Comparison of electronic data capture tools for research data

Survey Instruments

  • Social and Behavioral Instruments (SABI) (University of North Carolina)Open-access compilation of social and behavioral instruments for use in HIV research  
  • Survey Research Division (University of Washington)Provides support to help researchers collect data, assisting with design, recruitment and mode of collection, survey programming, data entry, and data management and reporting.
  • Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS, Northwestern University)Provides over 300 measures of physical, mental, and social health for people living with a chronic condition, including separate measures for pediatric and adult populations. 
  • NIH Toolbox (NIH)An app with >100 validated measures for cognitive, sensory, motor, and emotional functions among people aged 3-85+. 
  • PhenX Toolkit (Research Triangle Institute International)Provides recommended standard data collection protocols for biomedical research and detailed study protocols for data collection. 

Data Sources: HIV, Epidemiology, and Surveillance

Data Collection Tools

Trainings and Other

Leadership

Joanne Stekler, MD, MPH – Core Director, Provides expertise is in domestic PrEP implementation, telePrEP, and HIV testing technologies and strategies. 

Faculty

Alison Drake, PhD, MPH – Provides consultations on incorporating digital health technology for surveys or interventions, supports BIC ESI group, develops resources to promote and expedite digital data capture. ​​​

Brandon Guthrie, PhD, MPH – Develops and coordinates skills-building workshops and provides consultations and technical assistance to support investigators incorporating digital health platforms for data collection or intervention deployment.

David Katz, PhD, MPH – Provides content expertise in research accessibility for diverse populations and community partnerships. He manages incoming communication to direct BIC consults.

E. Roberto Orellana, PHD, MPH, MSW –  Supports trainees and trainee workshops and co-leads work with community partners to amplify community voices.

Keshet Ronen, PhD, MPH – Provides consultations on human-centered design and evaluation of digital behavioral interventions; supports BIC community partnerships​

Wadiya Udell, PhD – Co-leads work with community partners to develop robust community-university collaborations.

 

Steering Committee 

Geetanjali Chandler, MD, MPH, FACP 

Susan Graham, MD, PhD, MPH

Mark Harniss, PhD  

Renee Heffron, PhD, MPH  

Ahoua Kone, JD, MPH  

Steven Sawyer

Patrick Sullivan, DVM, PhD

Andrew Trister MD, PhD

Allison Webel, PhD, FAAN  

 

Admin Support

Morgan Aurelio, DNP, ARNP-CNM

Ron Craig

Ron Craig, Fiscal and Program Specialist