Sabina Hirshfield

Dr. Sabina Hirshfield is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases within the STAR Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Her research leverages innovative eHealth and mHealth strategies to address health disparities in sexual and gender minority populations, particularly focusing on HIV prevention, viral suppression monitoring, and substance use interventions amid the opioid and methamphetamine epidemics.

Education:

• Undergraduate: SUNY Binghamton
• Master's: St. Johns University
• Doctorate: Columbia University

Her work integrates behavioral theory with digital health solutions to model health behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) with and without HIV. Key projects include using HemaSpot dried blood spots for viral load tracking and urine-based self-sampling for drug analyte detection to mitigate overdose risks. She emphasizes practical, scalable interventions for underserved communities, including rural older adults and racial/sexual minorities.

Recent publications (2024–2025) highlight her focus on telehealth accessibility, self-testing feasibility, and the intersection of substance use, mental health, and structural determinants in HIV care. Trends include adapting interventions for pandemic-related challenges (e.g., COVID-19), optimizing remote healthcare delivery, and addressing syndemic factors like loneliness and stimulant use.

Dr. Hirshfield leads multidisciplinary efforts within the STAR Program to translate research into clinical practice, though specific grants, awards, or advised students are not detailed in the source material.