UConn Shrestha Lab pioneers digital care solutions for mental health, substance use, and HIV prevention

Asked about the driving force for his lab’s work, associate professor Roman Shrestha says it all comes down to “really making a difference for the vulnerable populations we work with.” 

The Shrestha Lab is a group of interdisciplinary researchers dedicated to improving health outcomes and quality of life for people across the globe, especially those who face barriers to accessing the traditional healthcare system. They focus on developing solutions that can easily plug into existing needs, including innovative new service programs and digital health initiatives like apps and wearable devices. 

The lab has a strong international focus, with specific projects focused on supporting mental health, substance use, and HIV prevention among sexual minority populations in Malaysia and Nepal. But they also work with communities closer to home.  

Researchers at the Shrestha Lab have a longtime partnership with the New Haven Syringe Services Program, hosted by the Yale Community Healthcare Van in New Haven. Through this partnership, they work to support the mental and physical health of people who inject drugs (PWID) here in Connecticut, while also laying the groundwork for interventions that can be adopted anywhere. 

Read the full article on UConn Today.