Aimalohi A. Ahonkhai, MD, MPH

Goal with HISTP

My goal is to gain mentorship and foundational skills in the intersection between behavioral science and mHealth technologies. This would support my goal to exploit novel mHealth strategies to promote engage in care and treatment among highly marginalized people living with HIV.

Dr. Aima Ahonkhai is an Infectious Diseases and HIV physician and researcher. She is an Associate Physician in Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital where she also serves as Associate Director of the Bio-behavioral and Community Science Core and Director of the Community Engaged Research Program for the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research.

Dr. Ahonkhai is passionate about health equity and has focused this passion on the care of people living with HIV both in the US and in Africa. She has particular interest in the health needs of adolescents and young adults and has worked to implement care models for this population in globally. With expertise in epidemiology, implementation, and community-engaged research,  Dr. Ahonkhai has active research programs in Africa and the US. Her program, Care4Life focuses on improving engagement in HIV care in Nigeria by leveraging mobile technology to improve medication adherence and engagement in care, and to address mental health needs for the most marginalized individuals. Dr. Ahonkhai has worked extensively in the SE United States, a region disproportionately burdened by HIV, and maintains an adjunct faculty appointment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She has collaborated with Tennessee Department of Health as well as local health departments and community-based organizations in TN, to identify and address disparities in HIV care. She is utilized novel strategies including partnering with Black barbers in TN to address HIV stigma in the state.