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Yu Liu, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Yu Liu, Ph.D., M.P.H.

he/him/his

Contact

Call Center (585) 276-3000

About Me

I am an Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Rochester Medical Center. I completed my pre- and post-doctoral training in epidemiology, social, behavioral science, and global health. I have strong expertise in using complex data-driven and epidemiologic methods to assess...
I am an Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Rochester Medical Center. I completed my pre- and post-doctoral training in epidemiology, social, behavioral science, and global health. I have strong expertise in using complex data-driven and epidemiologic methods to assess research gaps, intervention opportunities, and the efficacy/effectiveness of existing interventions and health programs in various research contexts. Furthermore, I have an unparalleled passion for cultivating organic, diverse, inclusive, and sustainable environments across various settings through my professional services, research, and teaching.

I teach PM416: Advanced Epidemiologic Methods, PM451: Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, PM510: Causal Inference in Epidemiology, and I am directing PM460: Master of Epidemiology Thesis Workshop. I enjoy mentoring and working with students of various backgrounds and helping my students to become academically competent.

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Public Health Sciences (SMD)

Credentials

Education

PhD | Vanderbilt University. Epidemiology. 2015

MPH | George Washington University. Epidemiology. 2009

BSc | China - South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou. Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2007

Amos Christie Chair Endowed Post-doctoral Research Fellow | Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. HIV prevention. 0

Research

My research focuses on leveraging advanced quantitative/qualitative methods, social-behavioral theories, implementation science, and technology (e.g., social media) to design/implement novel prevention interventions to tackle a wide array of research priorities, such as social stigmatization among m...
My research focuses on leveraging advanced quantitative/qualitative methods, social-behavioral theories, implementation science, and technology (e.g., social media) to design/implement novel prevention interventions to tackle a wide array of research priorities, such as social stigmatization among marginalized populations (e.g., LGBTQ populations), health messaging, substance use, mental health, social determinants of health, quality-of-life, and infectious disease prevention (e.g., HIV, STD, and COVID). I have served as the PI/Co-PI/Co-I of multiple institutional and NIH-funded studies and published frequently in reputable peer-reviewed journals. My research involves close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams in academia, medical/clinical institutions, community-based organizations, and government (e.g., CDC, Department of Health).

Publications

Journal Articles

Understanding the PrEP Care Continuum for Adults: Health Care Providers' Perspectives on Barriers, Facilitators, and Missed Opportunities.

Zhang C, Chang W, Liu Y

AIDS patient care and STDs.. 2025 February 39 (2):61-69. Epub 01/28/2025.

Associations of Minority Stressors, Alcohol Use Disorder, Resilience, and HIV Testing Self-Efficacy Among Community-Based Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in a Southern U.S. City: A Causal Mediation and Moderation Analysis.

Liu Y, Mitchell JW, Brown L, Chandler C, Zhang C

Substance use & misuse.. 2025 60 (1):120-129. Epub 10/02/2024.

Ameliorating Racial Disparities in HIV Prevention via a Nurse-Led, AI-Enhanced Program for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Utilization Among Black Cisgender Women: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

Zhang C, Wharton M, Liu Y

JMIR research protocols.. 2024 August 1313 :e59975. Epub 08/13/2024.

Addressing food insecurity in HIV care: perspectives from healthcare and social service providers in New York state.

Bleasdale J, Morse GD, Liu Y, Leone LA, Cole K, Przybyla S

AIDS care.. 2024 July 36 (7):927-936. Epub 01/30/2024.

Influence of Community Determinants on Barriers and Facilitators to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake: Regional Stakeholders' Perspectives.

Russ S, Bennett N, van Wijngaarden E, Hill E, Liu Y

Vaccine.. 2024 February 1542 (5):1160-1167. Epub 01/24/2024.

Poor long-term outcomes despite improved hospital survival for patients with cryptococcal meningitis in rural, Northern Uganda.

Okwir M, Link A, Opio B, Okello F, Nakato R, Nabongo B, Alal J, Rhein J, Meya D, Liu Y, Bohjanen PR

PloS one.. 2024 19 (5):e0303805. Epub 05/21/2024.

Racial Differences of Psychosocial Characteristics, HIV Risk-Taking and HIV Prevention Uptake between Men Who Have Sex with Men Only and Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women: A Community-Based Study in Two US Cities.

Russ S, Zhang C, Przybyla S, Liu Y

Journal of homosexuality.. 2023 July 2970 (9):1959-1977. Epub 03/10/2022.

Bolstering the Measurement of Racial Inequity of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake.

Russ S, Bramley J, Liu Y, Boyce I

Vaccines.. 2023 April 2111 (4)Epub 04/21/2023.

The impact of food insecurity on receipt of care, retention in care, and viral suppression among people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States: a causal mediation analysis.

Bleasdale J, Liu Y, Leone LA, Morse GD, Przybyla SM

Frontiers in public health.. 2023 11 :1133328. Epub 08/02/2023.

Editorial for the Special Issue-'HIV Testing, Prevention, and Care Cascade'.

Zhang C, Liu Y

Tropical medicine and infectious disease.. 2022 November 187 (11)Epub 11/18/2022.

Telemedicine Experience for PrEP Care among PrEP-Eligible Women and Their Primary Care Providers during the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.

Zhang C, Fiscella K, Przybylek S, Chang W, Liu Y

Tropical medicine and infectious disease.. 2022 October 27 (10)Epub 10/02/2022.

Socio-Structural Factors and HIV Care Engagement among People Living with HIV during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in the United States.

Bleasdale J, Leone LA, Morse GD, Liu Y, Taylor S, Przybyla SM

Tropical medicine and infectious disease.. 2022 September 237 (10)Epub 09/23/2022.

Characterizing Racial Differences of Mental Health Burdens, Psychosocial Determinants, and Impacts on HIV Prevention Outcomes Among Young Men Who have Sex With Men: a Community-based Study in Two U.S. Cities.

Liu Y, Brown L, Przybyla S, Bleasdale J, Mitchell J, Zhang C

Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities.. 2022 August 9 (4):1114-1124. Epub 05/13/2021.

Assessing the Prevalence and Determinants of Exposure-Influenced HIV Testing among a Sample of Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis-Naïve Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States.

Liu Y, Hawkins M, Osman A, Zhang C

Tropical medicine and infectious disease.. 2022 July 267 (8)Epub 07/26/2022.

Suboptimal Follow-Up on HIV Test Results among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Community-Based Study in Two U.S. Cities.

Wang Y, Mitchell J, Zhang C, Brown L, Przybyla S, Liu Y

Tropical medicine and infectious disease.. 2022 July 197 (7)Epub 07/19/2022.

Exploring the Role of Provider-Patient Communication in Women's Sexual Health and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Care in the Primary Care Settings in New York State of the United States.

Zhang C, Fiscella K, Liu Y

International journal of environmental research and public health.. 2022 July 119 (13)Epub 07/01/2022.

Evidence and implication of interventions across various socioecological levels to address pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake and adherence among men who have sex with men in the United States: a systematic review.

Wang Y, Mitchell JW, Zhang C, Liu Y

AIDS research and therapy.. 2022 June 2619 (1):28. Epub 06/26/2022.

Understanding the Association between PrEP Stigma and PrEP Cascade Moderated by the Intensity of HIV Testing.

Zhang C, Liu Y

Tropical medicine and infectious disease.. 2022 May 167 (5)Epub 05/16/2022.

Multilevel determinants of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the United States: A rapid systematic review.

Wang Y, Liu Y

Preventive medicine reports.. 2022 February 25 :101673. Epub 12/16/2021.

Assessing the Determinants of Quality of Life and the Impact on HIV Prevention Measures among HIV-Negative and Status-Unknown Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Study in Two U.S. Metropolitan Areas.

Liu Y, Russ S, Mitchell J, Przybyla S, Zhang C

International journal of environmental research and public health.. 2022 January 1019 (2)Epub 01/10/2022.

Racial Variations in Psychosocial Vulnerabilities Linked to Differential Poppers Use and Associated HIV-Related Outcomes among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Study in Two U.S. Metropolitan Areas.

Liu Y, Bleasdale J, Przybyla S, Higgins MC, Zhang C

Substance use & misuse.. 2022 57 (4):560-568. Epub 01/22/2022.

An Integrated Conceptual Framework of Behavioral Intervention Technologies to Promote Healthcare Utilization Among Socially-Marginalized Populations in the United States.

Zhang C, Przybylek S, Braksmajer A, Liu Y

Journal of nursing studies and patient care.. 2022 3 (1):12-23. Epub 05/06/2022.

Evidence and implication of interventions across various socioecological levels to address HIV testing uptake among men who have sex with men in the United States: A systematic review.

Wang Y, Mitchell J, Liu Y

SAGE open medicine.. 2022 10 :20503121221107126. Epub 06/29/2022.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Care Continuum, Barriers, and Facilitators among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Russ S, Zhang C, Liu Y

AIDS and behavior.. 2021 July 25 (7):2278-2288. Epub 01/12/2021.

Understanding the role of nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other nursing staff in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis care in the United States: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zhang C, Mitchell W, Xue Y, LeBlanc N, Liu Y

BMC nursing.. 2020 December 919 (1):117. Epub 12/09/2020.

Predicting the long-term impact of voluntary medical male circumcision on HIV incidence among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China.

Zhang C, Webb GF, Lou J, Shepherd BE, Qian HZ, Liu Y, Vermund SH

AIDS care.. 2020 March 32 (3):343-353. Epub 10/16/2019.

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Cascade Among Health Care Professionals in the United States: Implications from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Zhang C, McMahon J, Fiscella K, Przybyla S, Braksmajer A, LeBlanc N, Liu Y

AIDS patient care and STDs.. 2019 December 33 (12):507-527. Epub 1900 01 01.

Suboptimal HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Awareness and Willingness to Use Among Women Who Use Drugs in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Zhang C, McMahon J, Simmons J, Brown LL, Nash R, Liu Y

AIDS and behavior.. 2019 October 23 (10):2641-2653. Epub 1900 01 01.

Attrition of HIV-positive children from HIV services in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Carlucci JG, Liu Y, Clouse K, Vermund SH

AIDS.. 2019 September 2 Epub 09/02/2019.

Suboptimal Recent and Regular HIV Testing Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States: Implications From a Meta-Analysis.

Liu Y, Silenzio VMB, Nash R, Luther P, Bauermeister J, Vermund SH, Zhang C

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes : JAIDS.. 2019 June 181 (2):125-133. Epub 1900 01 01.

Modeling economic and epidemiological impact of voluntary medical male circumcision among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China.

Zhang C, Penson DF, Qian HZ, Webb GF, Lou J, Shephard BE, Liu Y, Vermund SH

International journal of STD & AIDS.. 2019 June 30 (7):630-638. Epub 03/19/2019.

Voluntary medical male circumcision and HIV infection among men who have sex with men: Implications from a systematic review.

Zhang C, Qian HZ, Liu Y, Vermund SH

SAGE open medicine.. 2019 7 :2050312119869110. Epub 08/08/2019.

Attrition of HIV-exposed infants from early infant diagnosis services in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Carlucci JG, Liu Y, Friedman H, Pelayo BE, Robelin K, Sheldon EK, Clouse K, Vermund SH

Journal of the International AIDS Society.. 2018 November 21 (11):e25209. Epub 1900 01 01.

Impacts of HIV Stigma on Psychosocial Well-Being and Substance Use Behaviors Among People Living With HIV/AIDS In China: Across the Life Span.

Zhang C, Li X, Liu Y, Zhou Y, Shen Z, Chen Y

AIDS education and prevention : official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education.. 2018 April 30 (2):108-119. Epub 1900 01 01.

Peer counselling versus standard-of-care on reducing high-risk behaviours among newly diagnosed HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Beijing, China: a randomized intervention study.

Liu Y, Vermund SH, Ruan Y, Liu H, Rivet Amico K, Simoni JM, Shepherd BE, Shao Y, Qian HZ

Journal of the International AIDS Society.. 2018 February 21 (2)Epub 1900 01 01.

HIV testing and sexual risks among migrant men who have sex with men: findings from a large cross-sectional study in Beijing, China.

Liu Y, Vermund SH, Ruan Y, Liu H, Zhang C, Yin L, Shao Y, Qian HZ

AIDS care.. 2018 January 30 (1):86-94. Epub 09/25/2017.

Subsequent Sexual Risks Among Men Who Have Sex with Men May Differ by Sex of First Partner and Age at Sexual Debut: A Cross-Sectional Study in Beijing, China.

Liu Y, Qian HZ, Amico KR, Liu H, Yin L, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Zhang C, Vermund SH

AIDS and behavior.. 2017 October 21 (10):2913-2923. Epub 1900 01 01.

Co-infections of tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C viruses in a cohort of people living with HIV/AIDS in China: predictors and sequelae.

Zhang C, Li X, Liu Y, Qiao S, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Shen Z

AIDS care.. 2017 August 29 (8):974-977. Epub 12/21/2016.

Trends and factors in human immunodeficiency virus and/or hepatitis C virus testing and infection among injection drug users newly entering methadone maintenance treatment in Guangdong Province, China 2006-2013: a consecutive cross sectional study.

Liu Y, Liu Y, Zou X, Chen W, Ling L

BMJ open.. 2017 July 137 (7):e015524. Epub 07/13/2017.

Substance use and HIV-risk behaviors among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in China: repeated measures in a cohort study design.

Zhang C, Liu Y, Sun X, Wang J, Lu HY, He X, Zhang H, Ruan YH, Shao Y, Vermund SH, Qian HZ

AIDS care.. 2017 May 29 (5):644-653. Epub 11/10/2016.

A pedigree-based proxy measure of genetic predisposition of drinking and alcohol use among female sex workers in China: a cross-sectional study.

Zhang C, Li X, Liu Y, Qiao S, Su S, Zhang L, Zhou Y

AIDS care.. 2017 February 29 (2):223-225. Epub 07/25/2016.

Non-injecting Drug Users, Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS

Yu Liu & Sten H. Vermund.

Encyclopedia of AIDS. 2017; .

Sexual Behaviors Linked to Drug and Alcohol Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China.

Zhang C, Qian HZ, Yin L, Liu Y, Strauss SM, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Lu H, Vermund SH

Substance use & misuse.. 2016 December 551 (14):1821-30. Epub 09/08/2016.

Alcohol misuse, risky sexual behaviors, and HIV or syphilis infections among Chinese men who have sex with men.

Liu Y, Ruan Y, Strauss SM, Yin L, Liu H, Amico KR, Zhang C, Shao Y, Qian HZ, Vermund SH

Drug and alcohol dependence.. 2016 November 1168 :239-246. Epub 09/30/2016.

Associations of current marital status and living arrangements with HIV and syphilis risk: findings from a community-based sample of men who have sex with men in China.

Liu Y, Li D, Vermund SH, Zhang C, Ruan Y, Yin L, Liu H, Amico KR, Shao Y, Qian HZ

AIDS care.. 2016 November 28 (11):1461-6. Epub 05/29/2016.

Seeking Male Sexual Partners via Internet and Traditional Venues among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men: Implications for HIV Risk Reduction Interventions.

Liu Y, Wang J, Qian HZ, Liu H, Yin L, Lu H, Zhang C, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Vermund SH

AIDS and behavior.. 2016 October 20 (10):2222-2230. Epub 1900 01 01.

Frequent HIV Testing: Impact on HIV Risk Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Liu Y, Qian HZ, Ruan Y, Wu P, Osborn CY, Jia Y, Yin L, Lu H, He X, Shao Y, Vermund SH

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes : JAIDS.. 2016 August 172 (4):452-61. Epub 1900 01 01.

How clients' during-treatment motivations relate to their perceptions and impressions of methadone maintenance treatment: A multilevel analysis of a cross-sectional survey in Guangdong Province, China.

Deng L, Zou X, Chen W, Xia Y, Liu Y, Ling L

Drug and alcohol dependence.. 2016 July 1164 :151-157. Epub 05/16/2016.

Lower HIV Risk Among Circumcised Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: Interaction With Anal Sex Role in a Cross-Sectional Study.

Qian HZ, Ruan Y, Liu Y, Milam DF, Spiegel HM, Yin L, Li D, Shepherd BE, Shao Y, Vermund SH

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes : JAIDS.. 2016 April 171 (4):444-51. Epub 1900 01 01.

Barriers and Facilitators of Linkage to and Engagement in HIV Care Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: A Qualitative Study.

Liu Y, Osborn CY, Qian HZ, Yin L, Xiao D, Ruan Y, Simoni JM, Zhang X, Shao Y, Vermund SH, Amico KR

AIDS patient care and STDs.. 2016 February 30 (2):70-7. Epub 01/19/2016.

Emotional, physical and financial burdens of stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS in China.

Zhang C, Li X, Liu Y, Qiao S, Zhang L, Zhou Y, Shen Z, Tang Z

AIDS care.. 2016 28 Suppl 1 (sup1):124-31. Epub 02/17/2016.

Stigma against People Living with HIV/AIDS in China: Does the Route of Infection Matter?

Zhang C, Li X, Liu Y, Qiao S, Zhang L, Zhou Y, Tang Z, Shen Z, Chen Y

PloS one.. 2016 11 (3):e0151078. Epub 03/16/2016.

Substance Use and Psychosocial Status among People Living with HIV/AIDS Who Encountered HIV Stigma in China: Stratified Analyses by Socio-Economic Status.

Zhang C, Li X, Liu Y, Qiao S, Zhou Y, Shen Z, Chen Y

PloS one.. 2016 11 (11):e0165624. Epub 11/08/2016.

Predictors of antiretroviral therapy initiation: a cross-sectional study among Chinese HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

Liu Y, Ruan Y, Vermund SH, Osborn CY, Wu P, Jia Y, Shao Y, Qian HZ

BMC infectious diseases.. 2015 December 1515 :570. Epub 12/15/2015.

Human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis and hepatitis C virus prevalence trends among cross-border migrant Vietnamese female sex workers in Guangxi, China.

Zhang C, Li X, Liu Y, Qiao S, Zhou Y, Tang Z, Shen Z

BMC public health.. 2015 December 915 :1223. Epub 12/09/2015.

Qualitative Assessment of Barriers and Facilitators of Access to HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China.

Liu Y, Sun X, Qian HZ, Yin L, Yan Z, Wang L, Jiang S, Lu H, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Vermund SH, Amico KR

AIDS patient care and STDs.. 2015 September 29 (9):481-9. Epub 07/17/2015.

HIV risk among female sex workers with different patterns of drug use behaviors in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study.

Tang Z, Zhang C, Li X, Liu Y, Su S, Zhou Y, Shen Z

AIDS care.. 2015 27 (3):293-300. Epub 11/19/2014.

Risk factors associated with prevalent and incident syphilis among an HIV-infected cohort in Northeast China.

Hu QH, Xu JJ, Zou HC, Liu J, Zhang J, Ding HB, Qian HZ, Li SR, Liu Y, Jiang YJ, Shang H, Wang N

BMC infectious diseases.. 2014 December 414 :658. Epub 12/04/2014.

Alcohol use among Chinese men who have sex with men: an epidemiological survey and meta-analysis.

Liu Y, Qian HZ, Ruan Y, Yin L, Ma J, Dahiya K, Fan W, Shao Y, Vermund SH

BioMed research international.. 2014 2014 :414381. Epub 03/11/2014.

Effectiveness of HIV risk reduction interventions among men who have sex with men in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lu H, Liu Y, Dahiya K, Qian HZ, Fan W, Zhang L, Ma J, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Vermund SH, Yin L

PloS one.. 2013 8 (8):e72747. Epub 08/30/2013.

Books

Encyclopedia of AIDS (2017)

Chapter: Non-injecting drug users, Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS

Authors: Yu Liu, Sten H. Vermund

Publisher: Springer science & business media 2017