Dr. Liu completed his pre- and post-doctoral training at Vanderbilt School of Medicine before taking the assistant professor position at the University of Rochester. As an HIV/AIDS epidemiologist, Dr.Liu's research can be broadly summarized as employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to investigate various determinants of HIV transmission, the cascade of HIV care, and HIV-related biopsychosocial vulnerabilities among high-risk populations, such as men who have sex with men (MSM).
Dr. Liu is a keen collaborator with desirable experience working with community-based organizations and researchers both domestically and internationally. His prior work mostly focused on testing community-based prevention interventions,assessing risk factors associated with HIV infection, and exploring barriers/facilitators in key stages of the continuum of HIV care (e.g. HIV testing, linkage to and engagement in HIV care, antiretroviral therapy initiation and retention) among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and people who inject drugs (PWID). Dr. Liu has produced more than two dozen peer-review publications and one book chapter in this research arena during 2013-2017.
Dr. Liu's ongoing research reflects strong interests in employing mixed-methods and implementation science concepts to develop, test and implement innovative community-based prevention interventions to reduce HIV transmission and enhance HIV care presentation. This broadly includes:
(1) Repeated HIV testing with rapid linkage-to-care (HIV+) or pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV- but high-risk portfolios);
(2) Self-efficacy and skills in HIV disclosure, sero-discussion, and safer sex negotiation to prevent HIV acquisition;
(3) Psychological and mental health problems (depression, anxiety, stress, etc.) as a result of HIV stigma or social-environmental risk factors (homelessness, violence, food insecurity, etc.) that may deteriorate HIV outcomes;
(4) Geriatric outcomes (quality of life, social support, cognitive functioning) among PLWH in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy, and methods of improving such outcomes in the context of HIV and aging.