Claude Ann Mellins

Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University, specializing in the psychosocial aspects of HIV, substance use, and trauma in youth and families globally. She co-directs the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies and the Office of Clinical Psychology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUMC), while also leading international projects like Project CASAH and PHACS.

• Education: BA (Brown University, 1982), MA (University of Southern California, 1987), PhD (University of Southern California, 1990)

Her research focuses on neurodevelopmental outcomes, mental health, and adherence challenges in perinatally HIV-infected and HIV-affected youth across the U.S., South Africa, and Uganda. She integrates cognitive-behavioral frameworks with biomedical research to adapt interventions for low-resource settings.

Recent studies highlight her work on alcohol use, suicide risk, and stigma in HIV-affected populations, alongside collaborations on mobile health tools and economic empowerment programs. She co-founded the Special Needs Clinic at New York Presbyterian Hospital, which has served over 1,800 patients since 1992.

• Global Partnerships: Vuka Family Program (South Africa), MASIVUKENI (South Africa), Asenze (South Africa), Suubi+ Adherence (Uganda)

Her career bridges academic-clinical collaborations, longitudinal cohort studies, and scalable mental health interventions for vulnerable communities.