Merrian J. Brooks

Dr. Merrian J. Brooks, DO, MS, is an Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and serves as the Director of Pediatrics and Research at the Botswana-UPenn Partnership (BUP) in Gaborone, Botswana. She is also an Attending Physician in Adolescent Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Her work bridges clinical care, research, and education in global adolescent health.

Education:

• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh (focus: comparative research and health disparities)
• Pediatrics Residency, Cooper University Hospital
• Clinical Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Research and Scholarly Focus:
Dr. Brooks's research is centered on improving mental health outcomes for adolescents living with HIV in low-resource settings. She investigates the implementation of counseling and peer support interventions to reduce anxiety and depression. Her work emphasizes community engagement, health equity, and strengthening adolescent mental health services in Botswana. She also contributes to broader efforts in integrated behavioral health and adolescent health policy.

Publication Trends:
Her recent publications highlight a strong focus on global mental health, adolescent HIV care, and health equity. Key themes include the feasibility of mental health screening in youth HIV care, community-based mental health program development, and the integration of behavioral health into primary care. Her work often involves stakeholder feedback, implementation science, and interventions addressing stigma and disparities.

Scientific Contributions:

• Co-author of a landmark position paper by the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine on integrated behavioral health in primary care.
• Active researcher in adolescent mental health and HIV in Botswana.
• Contributor to studies on contraceptive access, motivational interviewing, and psychological care in low-resource settings.

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Brooks mentors University of Botswana (UB) MMed and medical students and trains local clinicians. She plays a key role in building research capacity at BUP and advising on adolescent health policy. While specific grant details are not listed, her position as Director of Research and her publication record suggest active involvement in securing and managing research funding for global health initiatives in Botswana.

Labs and Teams:
Dr. Brooks is a core member of the Botswana-UPenn Partnership, a long-standing collaborative research and training initiative. She works closely with local Batswana colleagues, trainees, and international partners to advance adolescent health research and clinical services in Botswana. Her team focuses on community-based participatory research and sustainable program development.