Departmental Affiliations
Center & Institute Affiliations
Laura Beres, PhD ’19, MPH, uses mixed methods implementation science and participatory approaches to optimize engagement in prevention, care, and treatment services globally.
Research Interests
implementation science, human-centered design, formative research, person-centered care, participatory research, qualitative research, systematic review, narrative analysis, instrumental variable analysis, epidemiologic causality, digital and mobile health, HIV care and treatment, HIV prevention, long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis, health behavior, climate outcomes, mental health, health systems, adolescents and young adults, women's health, maternal and child health, adults, USA, Zambia, Lesotho
Additional Links
Experiences & Accomplishments
I am a social, behavioral, and implementation scientist who utilizes mixed-methods research to develop and evaluate prevention and treatment interventions in low-resource settings. In addition to work in the US, I have had the privilege to work in more than 15 countries with collaborations in Lesotho since 2005 and Zambia since 2011. I am currently a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (https://www.cidrz.org/). My methodological expertise spans epidemiologic causal inference, hybrid implementation–effectiveness trials, formative research, qualitative research, and human-centered design. I utilize and advance innovative methods to optimize health practices in real-world settings encouraging improved equity, person-centeredness, and translation of evidence to action in public health across disease areas and service delivery settings. I have published widely on person-centered care, patient-reported outcomes, community engagement, mental health, health systems strengthening, implementation research methods, women’s health, digital and mobile health innovation, and closing gaps in health outcomes in the US and globally. I also co-authored the 2017 World Health Organization Consolidated guideline on sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV.
I see public health practice and policy as central to improved health outcomes. I served as an HIV & AIDS Advisor to the Lesotho National Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship (2007-2009), and a Task Force member for Lesotho National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2006-2011. In 2013–2014, I supported multiple partners in developing the Zambian Prisons Health Systems Strengthening Framework and Health Action Plan, establishing prison health committees, and providing capacity-building for prison leadership. I currently support the Baltimore City Health Department with monitoring and evaluation goals.
Honors & Awards
Advising, Mentoring and Teaching Recognition Award (AMTRA), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2021
R. Bradley Sack Family Scholarship, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2019
Procter & Gamble Fellowship, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2016
Delta Omega Honor Society, 2010
Robert W. Woodruff Merit Scholar, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, 2009-2011
Select Publications
Selected publications
Beres LK, Underwood A, Le Tourneau N, Kemp CG, Kore G, Yaeger L, Li J, Aaron A, Keene C, Mallela DP, Khalifa BAA, Mody A, Schwartz SR, Baral S, Mwamba C, Sikombe K, Eshun-Wilson I, Geng EH, Lavoie MC. Person-centred interventions to improve patient-provider relationships for HIV services in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. J Int AIDS Soc. 2024 May;27(5):e26258. doi: 10.1002/jia2.26258.
Beres LK, Mody A, Sikombe K, Hersch Nicholas L, Schwartz S, Eshun-Wilson I, Somwe P, Simbeza S, Pry J, Kaumba P, McGready J, Holmes CB, Bolton-Moore CB, Sikazwe I, Denison J, Geng EH. The effect of tracer contact on return to care among adult, ‘lost to follow-up’ patients living with HIV in Zambia: An instrumental variable analysis. J Int AIDS Soc. 2021 Dec;24(12):e25853. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25853.
Beres LK, Simbeza S, Holmes CB, Mwamba C, Mukamba N, Sharma A, Munamunungu V, Mwachande M, Sikombe K, Bolton-Moore C, Mody A, Koyuncu A, Christopoulous K, Jere L, Pry J, Ehrenkranz PD, Budden A, Geng E, Sikazwe I. Human Centered Design Lessons for Implementation Science: Improving the implementation of a patient-centered care intervention. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2019 Dec; 82 Suppl 3:S230-S243. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002216.
Akama EO*, Beres LK*, Kulzer JL, Ontuga G, Adhiambo H, Bushuru S, Nyagesoa E, Osoro J, Opondo I, Sang N, Oketch B, Nyanga J, Osongo CO, Nyandieka E, Ododa E, Omondi E, Ochieng F, Owino C, Odeny T, Kwena ZA, Eshun-Wilson I, Petersen M, Bukusi EA, Geng EH, Abuogi LL. A youth-centred approach to improving engagement in HIV services: human-centred design methods and outcomes in a research trial in Kisumu County, Kenya. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Nov 29;8(11):e012606. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012606. *these authors contributed equally
Mwamba C*, Beres LK*, Mukamba N, Jere L, Foloko M, Lumbo K, Sikombe K, Simbeza S, Mody A, Pry JM, Holmes CB, Sikazwe I, Moore CB, Christopoulos K, Sharma A, Geng EH. Provider perspectives on patient-centredness: participatory formative research and rapid analysis methods to inform the design and implementation of a facility-based HIV care improvement intervention in Zambia. J Int AIDS Soc. 2023 Jul;26 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):e26114. doi: 10.1002/jia2.26114. *these authors contributed equally
Sikombe K, Mody A, Goss CW, Simbeza S, Beres LK, Pry JM, Eshun-Wilson I, Sharma A, Mukamba N, Mulenga LB, Rice B, Mutale J, Zulu Dube A, Mulabe M, Hargreaves J, Bolton Moore C, Holmes CB, Sikazwe I, Geng EH. Effect of a multicomponent, person-centred care intervention on client experience and HIV treatment outcomes in Zambia: a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised trial. Lancet HIV. 2025 Jan;12(1):e26-e39. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3018(24)00264-9.