Wendee M. Wechsberg

Wendee M. Wechsberg, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. She serves as Director of RTI International’s Global Gender Center and Director of the Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program. Her research focuses on community-based interventions targeting HIV prevention among vulnerable populations, particularly adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa and the U.S., emphasizing gender equity and substance use. Dr. Wechsberg has over 20 years of experience in NIH-funded research, including leadership in the Women’s CoOp and multilevel HIV prevention trials. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, with a focus on gender, ethnicity, and HIV risk reduction.

Education: PhD in Community Psychology, North Carolina State University (1993).

Research Interests: Her work integrates mixed-methods approaches to address structural barriers to healthcare access, stigma reduction, and the development of gender-responsive interventions. Key areas include PrEP/ART adherence, substance use among marginalized groups, and the intersection of criminal justice and public health. Dr. Wechsberg’s global collaborations span 42 countries, fostering a feminist network of early-career researchers.

Awards and Recognition: Notable honors include the 2022 Forbes 50 over 50 Impact Award, multiple NIDA mentoring awards, and listings as a Top 50 Woman Leader in North Carolina (2023, 2024). Her leadership extends to advisory roles for AIDS Impact, NIH grant reviews, and community-based policy forums.

Service and Advocacy: Dr. Wechsberg chairs global health conferences, mentors students and researchers internationally, and collaborates with community organizations to ensure interventions are culturally relevant and sustainable. Her initiatives include the Global Gender Center’s programs addressing gender-based disparities in health and substance use.