Summary
Dr. Akshay Sharma is the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarly Impact, Arthur Emerton Orvis Endowed Chair for Health Equity and a Professor at the Orvis School of Nursing. Educated as a physician and infectious disease epidemiologist, he brings a multidisciplinary clinical and population health perspective to his scholarship, pedagogy and academic leadership. His work is grounded in a commitment to advancing health equity and developing evidence-based solutions to pressing health challenges.
His federally funded research focuses on HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention among sexual and gender minority populations, with particular emphasis on developing and evaluating innovative approaches to expand access to care. His scholarship examines the individual, social, and structural factors that shape engagement with HIV and STI prevention and explores telehealth-supported, home-based approaches designed to address barriers to care. Through this work, he seeks to translate rigorous research into strategies that improve health outcomes and promote equitable access to services. His scholarship has generated a strong body of peer-reviewed publications and has been disseminated widely through national and international presentations.
As an award-winning educator, Dr. Sharma is committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that support student success, scholarly development and a sense of belonging. He has taught epidemiological research methods to graduate students at Emory University and foundational health sciences to undergraduate students at the University of Michigan. Across these courses, he has incorporated active learning and inclusive pedagogical approaches to engage students with diverse backgrounds, experiences and needs. He is equally passionate about mentoring students, emerging scholars and faculty and fostering collaborative environments that encourage innovation and scholarly excellence.
In his leadership role, he is committed to strengthening the Orvis School of Nursing’s research enterprise, expanding opportunities for collaboration and advancing rigorous scholarship that demonstrates the impact of nursing on individuals, communities and health systems.
Research interests
- HIV and STI prevention
- Sexual and gender minority health
- Health equity and access to care
- Telehealth-supported home-based interventions
- Health promotion and behavior change
- Infectious disease epidemiology
Professional experience
- Professor, Associate Dean for Research and Scholarly Impact, Arthur Emerton Orvis Endowed Chair for Health Equity, Orvis School of Nursing, University of Nevada, Reno (2026-Present)
- Associate Professor, Department of Health Behavior and Clinical Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2024-2026)
- Assistant Professor, Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2016-2024)
- Research Project Coordinator, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta (2012-2015)
- Research Associate, Atlanta Research and Education Foundation, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta (2010-2011)
- Medical Officer, Delhi Public School Bangalore-South, Bangalore (2007-2008)
Notable honors and awards
- Michigan Housing Honored Instructor Award, Office of Student Life, University of Michigan (2026)
- Inclusive Teaching Award, School of Nursing, University of Michigan (2023)
- International AIDS Society Mentorship Programme Mentor, International AIDS Society (2022)
- Excellence in Abstract Submission among All Presenters Honorable Mention Award, American Public Health Association HIV/AIDS Section (2021)
- Mae Edna Doyle Teacher of the Year Award, School of Nursing, University of Michigan (2020)
- Network Modeling for Epidemics Workshop Fellow, Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington (2014)
- Texas HIV/STD Student Research Award, Texas Public Health Association and Texas Department of State Health Services (2014)
- Emory University Phi Chapter Inductee, Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health (2010)
Selected publications
- Sharma, A., Boyd, S., & Sallabank, G. (2026). HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use among South Asian sexual minority men in the United States: Pilot web-based survey study. JMIR Formative Research, 10.
- Sharma, A., Boyd, S., & Bonar, E.E. (2024). Feasibility and acceptability of a motivational interviewing-based telehealth intervention for bacterial sexually transmitted infection screening: Protocol for a sequential explanatory mixed methods study. JMIR Research Protocols, 13(1).
- Sharma, A., Gebrezgi, F., Hamilton, A., Boyd, S., & Sallabank, G. (2024). HIV-related knowledge, risk perception, and minority stressors among South Asian sexual minority men in the United States. International Journal of STD and AIDS, 35(12), 944-951.
- Sharma, A., Lacombe-Duncan, A., & Sallabank, G. (2023). HIV and STI testing among South Asian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the United States. American Journal of Men’s Health, 17(3).
- Sharma, A., Gandhi, M., Sallabank, G., Merrill, L., & Stephenson, R. (2023). Perceptions and experiences of returning self-collected specimens for HIV, bacterial STI and potential PrEP adherence testing among sexual minority men in the United States. AIDS and Behavior, 27(4), 1091-1105.
- Sharma, A., Gandhi, M., Sallabank, G., Merrill, L., & Stephenson, R. (2022). Study evaluating self-collected specimen return for HIV, bacterial STI and potential pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence testing among sexual minority men in the United States. American Journal of Men’s Health, 16(4).
- Sharma, A., Paredes-Vincent, A., & Kahle, E. (2021). Awareness, utilization, and preferences for traditional and contemporary HIV prevention strategies among Facebook and Instagram-using MSM in the United States. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, 20.
- Sharma, A., Kahle, E., Sullivan, S., & Stephenson R. (2021). Sexual agreements and intimate partner violence among male couples in the US: An analysis of dyadic data. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50(3), 1087-1105.
- Sharma, A., Kahle, E., Sullivan, S., & Stephenson, R. (2020). Relationship characteristics associated with perceptions of partners’ HIV testing behavior among male couples. AIDS and Behavior, 24(2), 516-531.
- Sharma, A., Shaver, J., & Stephenson, R. (2019). Rural primary care providers’ attitudes towards sexual and gender minorities in a Midwestern state. Rural and Remote Health, 19(4).
- Sharma, A., Garofalo, R., Hidalgo, M. A., Hoehnle, S., Mimiaga, M. J., Brown, E., ... & Stephenson, R. (2019). Do male couples agree on their sexual agreements? An analysis of dyadic data. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48(4), 1203-1216.
- Sharma, A., Stephenson, R., Sallabank, G., Merrill, L., Sullivan, S., & Gandhi M. (2019). Acceptability and feasibility of self-collecting biological specimens for HIV, sexually transmitted infection, and adherence testing among high-risk populations (Project Caboodle!): Protocol for an exploratory mixed methods study. JMIR Research Protocols, 8(5).
- Sharma, A., Kahle, E., Todd, K., Peitzmeier, S., & Stephenson, R. (2019). Variations in testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections across gender identity among transgender youth. Transgender Health, 4(1), 46-57.
- Sharma, A., Kahle, E. M., Sullivan, S. P., & Stephenson, R. (2018). Birth cohort variations across functional knowledge of HIV prevention strategies, perceived risk, and HIV-associated behaviors among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the United States. American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(6), 1824-1834.
- Sharma, A., Chavez, P. R., MacGowan, R. J., McNaghten, A. D., Mustanski, B., Gravens, L., ... & Sullivan, P. S. (2017). Willingness to distribute free rapid home HIV test kits and to test with social or sexual network associates among men who have sex with men in the United States. AIDS Care, 29(12), 1499-1503.
- Sharma, A., Wang, L. Y., Dunville, R., Valencia, R. K., Rosenberg, E. S., & Sullivan, P. S. (2017). HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing behavior among adolescent sexual minority males: Analysis of pooled Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, 2005-2013. LGBT Health, 4(2), 130-140.
- Sharma, A., Sullivan, S. P., & Stephenson, R. B. (2017). Detailed knowledge about HIV epidemiology and transmission dynamics and their associations with preventive and risk behaviors among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the United States. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 3(1).
- Sharma, A., Johnson, B. A., & Sullivan, P. S. (2015). Evaluating interventions to promote routine preventive screenings: A comparison of analytical outcomes. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 41, 152-159.
- Sharma, A., Stephenson, R. B., White, D., & Sullivan, P. S. (2014). Acceptability and intended usage preferences for six HIV testing options among internet-using men who have sex with men. Springerplus, 3(1).
- Sharma, A., Sullivan, P. S., & Khosropour, C. M. (2011). Willingness to take a free home HIV test and associated factors among internet-using men who have sex with men. Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care, 10(6), 357-364.
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta (2015-2016)
- PhD, Epidemiology, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta (2010-2015)
- MPH, Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta (2008-2010)
- MBBS, Medicine and Surgery, Bangalore Medical College, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore (2000-2006)