Natalie Leblanc

Natalie Leblanc is an Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing and holds the Harriet J. Kitzman Endowed Fellowship in Health Disparities. She is also an Affiliated Faculty member at the Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research Center at URMC. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on sexual health equity, HIV prevention, and the social and structural determinants affecting marginalized populations.

• PhD, School of Nursing, University of Miami, 2016
• Post-doctoral Fellow in HIV Prevention Science, University of Rochester, 2016
• MPH, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 2006
• BSN, College of Nursing, University of Florida, 2012
• BA in Cultural Anthropology, Trinity College, 1998

Dr. Leblanc's research investigates the ecological, cultural, and systemic factors influencing health disparities, particularly in Black and Brown communities. Her work emphasizes couple-centered HIV prevention, healthcare provider perspectives on sexual health, and the context of vulnerability among key populations. She employs qualitative and mixed methods, including dyadic analysis and meta-synthesis, to explore themes such as stigma, racism, and health equity.

Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on HIV prevention among Black heterosexual couples, PrEP awareness in Black women, telehealth during the pandemic, and stigma among LGBTQ+ populations in both the U.S. and Ghana. The articles span public health, nursing, sexual health, and global health disciplines, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach.

• Nurse Researcher of the Year, National Black Nurses Association, 2022
• McKnight Fellow, University of Miami, School of Nursing, 2013
• Global Field Experience Award, Emory University, 2005

Dr. Leblanc mentors numerous students and early-career researchers, many of whom appear as co-authors on her publications. She leads multiple NIH- and Gilead-funded grants, including a digital health intervention for Black couples and a study on innovative HIV treatment for Black women. She is also involved in community-based initiatives such as the "Loving Well in Spirituality and Sexuality" project.

She leads research teams focused on sexual health equity, HIV prevention, and stigma reduction, often collaborating with interdisciplinary and international partners. Her lab emphasizes community engagement, qualitative rigor, and translational research to inform policy and practice.