Arvin Bhana, PhD

Arvin Bhana, PhD

SMART Africa Co-Principal Investigator, Chief Specialist Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council and Honorary Associate Professor of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Dr. Arvin Bhana’s research focuses on understanding risk and resilience, adolescent risk-taking behavior (including HIV/ AIDS), and substance abuse and mental health. He has been the Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator of several NIH-funded research projects in South Africa supporting Perinatally HIV-infected Youth. His recent publications examine the role of family protective factors in improving mental health and behavioral outcomes and reducing the risk for STIs among children and youth. Additionally, his publications focus on public health interventions for depression using task-sharing in developing country contexts, and brief interventions for alcohol use in public health facilities.