Sheryl A. McCurdy

Sheryl A. McCurdy, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. Her research focuses on critical public health challenges affecting vulnerable populations through interdisciplinary approaches spanning infectious diseases, behavioral health, and health equity.

Her research portfolio encompasses:

• Sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS prevention interventions
• Substance abuse treatment and recovery services
• Gender-based violence and women's health disparities
• Qualitative methodologies for community-engaged research
• Global health initiatives targeting underserved communities
• Implementation science for health disparity reduction

Dr. McCurdy currently leads three major initiatives addressing urgent public health crises:

• Project HOMES: Establishing and evaluating 13 recovery residences across Texas for individuals in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder through multi-sector partnerships
• Harris SAVES: Conducting comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveillance in Harris County to inform pandemic response strategies
• Texas IS Hub: Advancing HIV elimination efforts in Texas through implementation science within the Texas D-CFAR consortium

Her work consistently bridges research and practice through community-based participatory frameworks, prioritizing equitable access to healthcare for marginalized populations including racial/ethnic minorities, women, and individuals with substance use disorders. Dr. McCurdy maintains active collaborations with public health departments, community organizations, and clinical partners to translate evidence into effective interventions.