Leah Marlene Varga, PhD: Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae
Leah Marlene Varga
305-301-7860
levarga@fiu.edu
HIGHER EDUCATION
1989-1994
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
University of Miami, Summa cum Laude
2000-2003
Master of Arts, Sociology
University of Miami
2006-2012
Doctor of Philosophy, Medical Sociology/Race and Ethnic Relations
University of Miami
Recipient of the University of Miami Fellowship
Dissertation: Structural Violence and Vulnerable Populations: Health and Health
Care Utilization among Black, Female Sex Workers in Miami, Florida
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Florida International University, Division of Research/Center for Research on US Latino HIV/AIDS
and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA)
September 2013- present
Research Scientist
Work closely with Division of Research and CRUSADA grant writing teams on planning, development,
and writing of proposals and projects and providing competency in health care disparities research and
innovative research initiatives. Preparation of grant proposal to secure external research funding;
Preparation of scholarly manuscripts; Presentation of research findings at national and international
conferences.
Florida International University, Division of Research/ Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Data
Center
August 2012-September 2013
Associate Director of Clinical and Community-Based Research
Work closely with Division of Research grant writing team on planning and development of proposals and
projects connected to the Wertheim College of Medicine’s Division of Research & Information/Data
Coordinating Center and the Center for Research on US Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse at the School
of Public Health providing competency in health care disparities research and innovative research
initiatives. Such projects focus on health care, clinical, epidemiological, and community-based human
subjects research. Analysis and interpretation of data and its translation into relevant information,
substance for scientific manuscripts. Evaluate trends and emerging fields in research concepts and
initiatives. Write and edit scholarly manuscripts; Preparation of technical reports; Presentation of program
initiatives to select Miami-Dade County communities; Presentation of research findings at national and
international conferences.
University of Delaware, Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies James Inciardi PhD and Hillary Surratt,
PhD
May 2009- June 2011
Research Manager
Case Management Alternatives for Highly Vulnerable Women and the Diversion of Antiretroviral
Medications to Street Markets
Project management, coordination, and leadership of two NIDA funded grants; overseeing human
subjects research of a behavioral intervention providing case management and linking vulnerable
populations to necessary community resources; supervision of research staff on two projects; qualitative
and quantitative data collection management and quality assurance; liaison between project and
1
Leah Marlene Varga, PhD: Curriculum Vitae
community agencies; focus groups; scientific writing; qualitative and quantitative statistical analyses; and
grant writing to obtain extramural funding.
University of Miami, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Olga Villar-Loubet Psy.D.
and Stephen Weiss, M.D.
September 2008- May 2009
Field Coordinator
FLOR: Fuerza Latina- Orgullo y Respeto
Direct, manage, and lead all field activities for a CDC funded grant to develop culturally relevant HIV
intervention programs for Latina women. Direct assessment and HIV testing; recruitment; supervision
and training of field staff; community liaison; maintain project logs and records.
University of Miami, Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Unit Allan
Rodriguez, M.D. and Lisa Metsch, Ph.D.
February 2007- May 2009
Coordinator
Retaining HIV positive patients in medical care
ENHANCE-Enabling Haitians Access Needed Care- A Targeted Peer Support Model Development and
Evaluation for Caribbeans Living with HIV/AIDS
Direct and manage research activities and operations of HRSA funded grant. Supervision of research
staff; coordinating and supervising recruitment and data collection of all study participants; monitor
ongoing performance of follow ups; monitor progress and adherence to protocol; prepare reports for
meetings; maintain project logs, records, data, and quality assurance; medical record abstractions and
reporting. Initiate and participate in preparation of grant applications and professional publications.
Princeton University, Department of Sociology Alejandro Portes, Ph.D.
August 2007- present
Immigrants and Health Care Systems
Administering qualitative interviews, focus groups, and field observations of health care workers in clinics
and hospital settings.
Nova Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine Isa Fernandez, Ph.D.
March 2005-February 2007
Senior Research Associate
Project Director: Impact of Drugs, Sex and Culture Among Hispanic Men; Social Network HIV Prevention
Intervention
Interviewer: Identity Development of Gay/Bisexual Questioning Male Youth
Direct, coordinate, manage, and lead research activities and staff on two behavioral HIV prevention
federal grants (NIDA and NIMH).
Duties include but not limited to: Supervision and hiring of research staff; coordinating and supervising
recruitment and data collection of all study participants; monitor ongoing performance of both studies;
questionnaire development and construction; monitor progress and adherence to protocol; prepare
reports for meetings; maintain project logs, records, data, and quality assurance; complete all IRB
reports, intervention development, quantitative interviewing, qualitative interviewing and coding. Provide
cultural competency in Hispanic issues, assist with translation of all research materials from English to
Spanish and Spanish to English, stay current with health and cultural topics related to Hispanics.
Training and Liaison:
Train project staff in administration of data collection instruments and study protocol. Train staff in
intervention implementation. Coordinate and schedule staff for certified trainings and workshops.
Liaison between the university and the Florida Department of Health, community based organizations and
other health clinics.
Scientific and Technical Writer:
Assist with qualitative analysis and interpretation of findings, writing of scholarly manuscripts.
Preparation of technical reports, legal documents, grant applications, intervention manuals, and
presentation of findings at national and international conferences. Conducting library searches.
2
Leah Marlene Varga, PhD: Curriculum Vitae
University of Miami Department of Epidemiology and Public Health Isa Fernandez, Ph.D.
Oct 2000-March 2005
Senior Research Associate
Project Director, Project Options and Impact of Drugs, Sex and Culture Among Hispanic Men, Jan 2002March 2005
Direct, coordinate, manage, and lead research activities and staff on two HIV prevention federal grants
(NIDA and NIMH).
Duties include but not limited to: Supervision and hiring of research staff; coordinating and supervising
recruitment and data collection of all study participants; monitor ongoing performance of both studies;
monitor HIV testing and result dissemination activities; questionnaire development and construction;
monitor progress and adherence to protocol; prepare reports for meetings; maintain project logs, records,
data, and quality assurance; complete all IRB reports. Provide cultural competency in Hispanic issues,
assist with translation of all research materials from English to Spanish and Spanish to English, stay
current with health and cultural topics related to Hispanics.
Training and Liaison:
Train project staff in administration of data collection instruments and study protocol. Train staff in
biological specimen collection and handling. Coordinate and schedule staff for certified trainings and
workshops.
Liaison between the university and the Florida Department of Health, community based organizations and
other health clinics.
Scientific and Technical Writer:
Assist with analysis and interpretation of findings, writing of scholarly manuscripts.
Preparation of technical reports, legal documents, grant applications, intervention manuals, and
presentation of findings at national and international conferences. Conducting library searches.
Project Director, Project Shield, Oct 2000- Mar 2003
Direct research on HRSA funded grant. Supervision of research staff, recruitment and retainment of study
participants, administration of standardized HIV prevention intervention, collection of longitudinal data,
and tracking of participants, collection and shipment of urine samples for STD testing, monitor STD rates
and treatment rates; liaison between the university and community based organizations and health
clinics; monitor progress and adherence to protocol; prepare reports for conference calls and meetings;
maintain project logs, records, data, and quality assurance; complete IRB reports.
University of Miami Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Isa Fernandez, Ph.D.
Jan 2000- Oct 2000
Research Associate
Assistant Coordinator for Project Shield and Lead Interviewer for Barriers Study
Assisted the coordinator with the management of day-to-day activities for Project Shield (HRSA).
Continued duties of: conducted ACASI assessments, recruited and screened participants, collected and
shipped urine samples, conducted randomization and other research related duties; maintained records
and logs for all study participants, prepared reports for weekly meetings and conference calls.
Served as lead interviewer on Barriers Study (CDC): approached, screened, and interviewed Hispanic
men in field settings.
University of Miami Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Isa Fernandez, Ph.D.
Sep. 1999-Dec. 1999
Research Associate
Project Shield and Barriers Study
Project Shield (HRSA)- HIV prevention study for high-risk youth involved recruitment and retaining of
participants from health clinics and community based organizations, collection and shipping of urine
samples, conducting 4-hour intervention with youth.
Barriers Study (CDC)- Recruiting and interviewing Hispanic men to assess barriers to HIV testing.
University of Miami Department of Sociology Dale Chitwood, Ph.D.
May 1997-Sep. 1999
Research Associate
3
Leah Marlene Varga, PhD: Curriculum Vitae
New Injectors Project
Served as lead interviewer on NIDA funded study. Interviewed injection drug users on drug use, sexual
and criminal activity, victimization, and locator information using structured questionnaire. Day to day
coordinator of assessment activities which included: supervised interviewers and outreach staff, coded
and edited questionnaires, conducted pre-HIV instruction and education with subjects, maintained quality
control over data, conducted lab urinalysis of subjects.
University of Miami Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Center for Family Studies
Jan. 1997-May 1997
Research Assistant
Latinas Project
Recruited and assessed adolescent girls at high risk for substance abuse and gang related activities and
their mothers in low socioeconomic East Little Havana.
University of Miami Department of Psychology Michael Antoni, Ph.D. and Charles Carver, Ph.D.
1995-1997
Research Assistant
Coping and Recovery Project, Phase II
Recruitment of women with breast cancer for a National Cancer Institute sponsored project.
University of Miami Department of Psychology with Michael Antoni, Ph.D. and Charles Carver, Ph.D.
1994-1997
Research Assistant
Coping and Recovery Project
American Cancer Society sponsored study; in charge of recruitment, interviews and follow-up, scheduling
and distributing incentives to breast cancer patients in health clinics and at private offices; screening
patients for depression or determining need for psychological intervention; accessing patient results and
records data entry. Interviews conducted in English and Spanish.
University of Miami Department of Psychology Michael Antoni, Ph.D.
1992-1995
Research Assistant
HPV Study
Recruitment and psychological interviewing of African-American, HIV+ women who are high risk for
cervical cancer.
PUBLICATIONS AND
PRESENTATIONS
Varga, Leah and Hilary Surratt. (2014) Utilization of health care services among Black, female, streetbased sex workers in Miami, Florida. Women’s Health Issues 24(3), 335-343.
Konzcal, Lisa and Leah M. Varga. (2012). Structural violence and compassionate compatriots: immigrant
health care in South Florida. Ethnic and Racial Studies 35(1).
Tolou-Shams, M. , L.K. Brown, G. Gordon, M.I. Fernandez, and Project SHIELD Study Group. (2007).
Arrest history as an indicator of adolescent/young adult substance use and HIV risk. Drug and Alcohol
Dependence, 88(1), 87-90.
Fernandez, M.I., Jacob C. Warren, Leah M. Varga, Guillermo Prado, Nilda Hernandez, and G. Steven
Bowen. (2007). Cruising in Cyber Space: Comparing Internet Chat Room versus Community Venues for
Recruiting Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men to Participate in Prevention Studies. Journal of
Ethnicity and Substance Abuse, 6(2).
Varga, L.M., Dale D. Chitwood, and M. Isabel Fernandez. (2006). Factors associated with skin cleaning
prior to injection among drug users. Journal of Drug Issues, 36(4), 1015-1030.
4
Leah Marlene Varga, PhD: Curriculum Vitae
Fernandez, M.I., Tatiana Perrino, Jose B. Collazo, Leah M. Varga, David Marsh, and G. Steven Bowen.
(2005) Surfing New Territory: Club drug use and risky sex among Hispanic MSM recruited on the
Internet. Journal of Urban Health, 82, i79-i88.
Fernandez, M.I., G. Steven Bowen, Leah M. Varga, Jose B. Collazo, and Tatiana Perrino. (2005) High
Rates of Club Drug Use and Risky Sexual practices Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex With Men in
Miami, Florida. Substance Use and Misuse, 40, 1347-1362 .
Fernandez, M.I., Leah M. Varga, Tatiana Perrino, Jose B. Collazo, Francys Subiaul, Alfredo Rehbein,
Hector Torres, Marcelo Castro, and G. Steven Bowen. (2004) The Internet as recruitment tool for HIV
studies: Viable strategy for reaching at risk Hispanic MSM in Miami? AIDS Care, 16(8), 1-11.
Fernández, M.I., Jose B. Collazo, Nilda Hernández, G. Steven Bowen, Leah M. Varga, Christie Kibort
Vila, Kris Arheart, and Tatiana Perrino. (2004) Predictors of HIV Risk Among Hispanic Farm Workers in
South Florida: Women Are At Higher Risk Than Men. AIDS and Behavior, 8(2), 165-174.
Fernández, M.I., Jose B. Collazo, Tatiana Perrino, G. Steven Bowen, Kris Arheart, and Leah M. Varga..
(2004) Predictors of HIV testing among seasonal farmworkers in South Florida. Journal of Rural Health.
21 (1), 56-63.
Fernandez M.I., Tatiana Perrino, G. Steven Bowen, Scott Royal, and Leah M. Varga. (2003) Repeat HIV
Testing Among Hispanic Men who Have Sex With Men-A Sign of Risk, Prevention, or Reassurance?
AIDS Education and Prevention, 15, Supplement A, 105-116.
Under Review:
Varga, L.M., Belgrave, L.L. Structural Violence and Health Care: The Experience of Vulnerable Women.
Qualitative Health Research.
Lopez-Quintero, C., Rojas, P., Dillon, F., Varga, L., and Mario De La Rosa. HIV testing practices among
Latina women at risk of getting infected: A five-year follow-up of a community sample in South Florida.
AIDS Care.
Presentations:
Varga, Leah M. 2013 "Experience of health care among marginalized populations: Women on the edge"
141st APHA Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, November 2 - November 6.
Surratt, Hilary L., Steven P. Kurtz and Leah M. Varga. 2011. “Medication adherence and diversion among
HIV-positive substance abusers in South Florida,” 10th International AIDS Impact Conference, Santa Fe,
New Mexico, September 12-15.
Surratt, Hilary L., Steven P. Kurtz and Leah M. Varga. 2011. “ The Impact of Early Sex Work Initiation on
Victimization, Mental Health and Risk for HIV,” 10th International AIDS Impact Conference, Santa Fe, New
Mexico, September 12-15.
Surratt, Hilary L., Steven P. Kurtz and Leah M. Varga. 2011. “Strengths-Based Interventions Empower
Underserved African American Women Sex Workers,” 119th Annual Meeting of the American
Psychological Association Washington, DC, August 4-7.
Surratt, Hilary L., Steven P. Kurtz, Theodore J. Cicero, and Leah M. Varga. 2011. “Medication Diversion
among HIV-Positive Substance Abusers in Miami,” College on Problems of Drug Dependence Seventythird Annual Meeting, Hollywood, FL, June 19-23.
Varga, Leah; Surrat, Hilary. (2010). “Health Care Needs, Utilization, and Barriers in a sample of druginvolved African American, street based sex workers in Miami, Florida. 2010 American Public Health
Association Annual Meeting, November 6-10, Denver, Colorado.
5
Leah Marlene Varga, PhD: Curriculum Vitae
Varga, Leah; Surratt, Hilary; Inciardi, James; Rosen, Kristen. (2009). “African-American Street-Based Sex
Workers Are at Increased Risk for HIV in Miami, Florida.” 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference
August 23-26, Atlanta, Georgia.
Rodriguez, Allan, Varga, Leah. (2009) “Barriers to seeking HIV care for Haitians living with HIV in
Miami”. 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference. August 23–26, 2009 Atlanta, Georgia.
Inciardi, James; Surratt, Hilary; Varga, Leah. (2009) “Violence, Psychological Distress and Services
Utilization among Women Sex Traders.” 117th Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association
August 6-9, Toronto, Ontario.
Konzcal, Lisa, Varga, Leah. (2009) “Bureaucratic Triage; Political Context and the Shape of Medical
Practice” What is Ailing the US.? Conference on Health Care and Immigration. Princeton University
Center for Migration and Development. May 14-16, 2009, Princeton, New Jersey.
Rodriguez, Allan, Varga, Leah, Saint Jean, Gilbert . (2009) “Unique challenges of hospitalized,
newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS Minorities residing in the US", 4th International Conference on HIV
Treatment Adherence. April 5-7, 2009, Miami, Florida.
Rodriguez, A., Varga, L.M., Saint-Jean, G., Kolber, M., Metsch L. (2007). Unique challenges of
hospitalized, newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS Haitians residing in the US. Poster presentation at 2007 CDC
National HIV Prevention Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.
Varga, L.M., Chitwood, D.D., & Fernandez, M.I. (2006 ) Factors associated with skin cleaning prior to
injection among drug users. Round table presentation at 101st Annual Meeting of the American
Sociological Association; Montreal, Canada.
Fernández, M. I., Warren, J. C., Varga, L. M., deFuentes, C. & Bowen, G. S. Health disparities in HIV:
(2005) Using the Internet to find connections between club drug use and risky sexual behavior in Hispanic
MSM. Paper presented at the 133rd Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association;
Philadelphia, PA. December 10-14.
Fernandez, M.I.; Collazo, J.B.; Varga, L.M.; Bowen, G.S. (2004) High rates of risky sex and use of club
drugs among Hispanic men who have sex with men in Miami, Florida, USA. XV International AIDS
Conference; Bangkok, Thailand: Abstract WePeC6079.
Fernandez, M.I.; Varga, L.M.; Bowen, G.S.; Collazo, J.B.; Castro, M.; Perrino, T. (2004) Using the
internet to recruit high risk Hispanic MSM to participate in research studies. XV International AIDS
Conference; Bangkok, Thailand: Abstract ThPeC7577.
Fernandez, M.I.; Collazo, J.B.; Perrino, T.; Varga, L.M.; Torres, H.; Plaza, C.; Jauregui, L.; Rehbein, A.;
Bowen, G.S.; Castro, M. (2003) Surfing New Territory- Working with Institutional Review Boards on
Internet Based STD/HIV Prevention Research. Paper Presented at the Centers for Disease Prevention’s
STD/HIV Prevention and the Internet Workshop, Washington, D.C.
Bowen, G. S., Royal, S., Perrino, T. M., Varga, L., & Fernández, M. I. (2002). Determinants of HIV in
Hispanic men: risk perception and physician recommendation. Poster presented at the XIV International
AIDS Conference, Barcelona, Spain.
Perrino, T. M., Fernández, M. I., Royal, S., Varga, L., Bowen, G. S., & Mattson, T. R. (2002). Evidence of
continued HIV risk behaviors among HIV positive, Hispanic men who have sex with men. Poster
presented at the XIV International AIDS Conference, Barcelona, Spain.
Royal, S., Bowen, G. S., Perrino, T. M., Varga, L., & Fernández, M. I. (2002). Repeat versus regular
testing in Hispanic men who have sex with men. Poster presented at the XIV International AIDS
Conference, Barcelona, Spain.
6
Leah Marlene Varga, PhD: Curriculum Vitae
TRAINING
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, New Connections Research and Coaching Clinic, New Orleans,
LA, November 2014.
Developing Diverse HIV/AIDS Mental Health Investigators, NIMH/OAR Training, Rockville, MD, May
2014.
HUTEP Postdoctoral Conference Howard University, September 2008.
Urban Ethnography Workshop Yale University, April 2008.
Preparing Future Faculty Summer Institute Howard University, June 2007.
SERVICE
Behavioral Science Research Institute, Board Chair, 2015
Miami-Dade HIV/AIDS Partnership, Strategic Planning Committee, 2014- present
National Science Foundation, Student Mentor, Undergraduate Minority Students Summer Program,
Summer 2007
Faculty Search Committee, Graduate Student Representative 2007-2008
Colloquia Committee, Graduate Student Representative 2006-2007
Graduate Senator, Department of Sociology 2005-2006
Graduate Student Association
PEER REVIEWER
American Journal of Public Health
Ethnic and Racial Studies
Journal of Drug Issues
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Public Health Association
American Sociological Association
Student Member:
Medical Sociology
Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco
Society for the Study of Social Problems
7