Carol Camlin

Carol Camlin, PhD, MPH is a Professor in Residence at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine with a distinguished career in global health research. She serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded projects including Mentoring Clinical Investigators in Patient Oriented Research on Human Mobility and HIV (NIH K24MH126808), Self-Test Strategies and Linkage Incentives to Improve ART and PrEP Uptake in Men (NIH R01MH120176), and Strengthening behavioral and social science research capacity to address the evolving challenges in HIV care and prevention in Uganda (NIH D43TW011304). Her work is centered at the Institute for Global Health Sciences, with extensive field research conducted in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.

Dr. Camlin's research focuses on the intersection of HIV/AIDS prevention, population mobility, gender dynamics, and sexual and reproductive health. Her work employs mixed-methods approaches to address critical challenges in HIV care and prevention among mobile and vulnerable populations, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. She has pioneered research on how migration patterns affect HIV transmission and care engagement, with particular attention to gendered dimensions of mobility. Her studies often examine innovative interventions including economic incentives for care engagement, social network-based approaches to HIV testing, and strategies to improve PrEP uptake among high-risk populations such as fishermen communities along Lake Victoria.

Analysis of her recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on community-engaged research addressing structural barriers to HIV care. Her work spans multiple disciplines including epidemiology, behavioral science, implementation science, and qualitative health research. Key trends include examining mobility patterns and HIV risk, developing culturally appropriate interventions for hard-to-reach populations, addressing alcohol use among people living with HIV, and improving maternal and reproductive health outcomes in the context of HIV care. Her research consistently incorporates community perspectives and emphasizes context-specific solutions to complex health challenges.

Dr. Camlin has received significant recognition for her contributions to global health, including the 2023 Alum of the Year award from the UCSF Graduate Division. Her work has been featured in prominent venues including the NIMH Human Mobility & HIV Workshop and AIDSMap articles on the Owete Study findings. She maintains an active research profile with numerous publications in high-impact journals such as The Lancet, PLOS journals, and AIDS journals.

Her research portfolio demonstrates substantial grant funding and collaborative leadership across international research teams. She has mentored numerous investigators through her NIH K24 award focused on mentoring clinical investigators in patient-oriented research. Her work bridges implementation science with community-based participatory research approaches, ensuring that interventions are both evidence-based and contextually appropriate. Dr. Camlin's contributions to the field extend beyond traditional research through her engagement with the Bixby Center and other global health initiatives at UCSF.

Dr. Camlin leads several major research initiatives including the Owete Study, which examines HIV self-testing among fishermen communities, and the SEARCH trial extensions focused on dynamic choice HIV prevention models. Her work often involves close collaboration with local health systems and community stakeholders to ensure interventions are sustainable and responsive to local needs. She is particularly known for her work with mobile populations and her innovative approaches to addressing structural barriers to HIV prevention and care.