# Proyecto Vida: Developing an HIV, HCV and opioid use MOST intervention for persons who inject drugs along the Texas-Mexico Border

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2024 · $184,613

## Abstract

Project Summary
The proposed K01 supports the training of a Chicana epidemiologist in intervention science and phylogenetic
analysis to address the co-occurring and mutually reinforcing epidemics of HIV, hepatitis C (HCV) and opioid
use among Latino persons who inject drugs (PWID) living along the Texas-Mexico Border. The study location,
Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, is largely underserved and associated with a high prevalence of HCV (>80%) and HIV
(>10%) among the 10,000 Latino PWID who largely inject opioids (>90%).The proposal draws from the
multiphase optimization strategy (MOST), an intervention framework for developing and testing multi-component
interventions within real-world constraints. Career development activities are centered around the MOST
Preparation Phase that includes optimizing four intervention protocols, developing a testable conceptual model,
and conducting a 2-to-3 factorial experiment to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a future larger trial.
Intervention components and outcomes include (a) peer navigation for to increase HCV treatment engagement
and cure (HCV-PN), (b) HIV testing and PrEP education (HIVT/PrEP) to increase quarterly HIV testing and PrEP
knowledge, (c) opioid agonist treatment (OAT) to decrease opioid use , and (d) syringe services to reduce sharing
injection equipment. A novel strategy toward HCV and HIV elimination among PWID is to merge intervention
science with phylogenetic testing to reveal subgroups experiencing suboptimal HCV care outcomes and track
transmission networks. Career development activities will include didactic training in intervention science and
phylogenetics, with applied learning activities conducting a small-scale MOST trial paired with HCV
phylogenetics. Phylogenetic testing is a powerful mechanism for distinguishing between HCV treatment failure
and reinfection, which can lead to resistance associated substitutions. Phylogenetic results can then feed into
the HCV-PN intervention to address the needs of PWID sub-groups experiencing HCV sub-optimal care who
need additional support. The proposed K01 specific aims, mentorship, training plan, community partnerships,
and prior training will launch this early-stage investigator’s independent research career using modern
intervention science methods integrated with biomarkers. Finally, the proposed research activities will pave the
way for a larger R01-funded study and aligns with NIDA’s Strategic Plan 2022-26 of addressing of co-occurring
epidemics, applying novel interventions strategies, and accelerating the implementation of evidence-based
strategies in real-world settings that benefit underserved communities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11085858
- **Project number:** 1K01DA062564-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Natasha Ludwig-Barron
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $184,613
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-30 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11085858

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11085858, Proyecto Vida: Developing an HIV, HCV and opioid use MOST intervention for persons who inject drugs along the Texas-Mexico Border (1K01DA062564-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-17 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/11085858. Licensed CC0.

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