Current Research Projects

Postpartum HPV Vaccination
August 2020 - Present
This pilot study of the immunogenicity of a two-dose protocol for HPV vaccination in postpartum women (15-45 years old) previously unvaccinated against HPV is funded by Merck & Co. and Johns Hopkins University. Recruitment began at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Bayview Medical Center in August 2020, and will continue through December 2021.
This study aims to determine 1) if postpartum HPV vaccination can be integrated into postpartum standard of care, and 2) if the three-dose vaccine series is non-inferior to the two-dose vaccine series.

AIMS Study
March 2017 - Present
The Effect of Injectable Contraceptives on Inflammation, Vaginal Microbiota, and STI/HIV Risk Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women is a two arm 5-year study involving 335 female adolescents and young adults (AYAs). It is funded by the National Institute of Health and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH/NICHD).
The primary objectives of the study are 1) to determine if there is an association between vaginal microorganisms and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and 2) to determine if the use of Depo-Provera (DMPA) as a contraceptive method significantly changes vaginal microorganisms.

PrEP Among Women
November 2020 - Present
The Impact of Nursing Involvement on Implementation of HIV Prevention Services in an Academic OBGYN Clinical Setting is a two arm, two year study involving 440 females, and is funded by Gilead Sciences, Inc.
The primary objective of the study is to develop, implement, and assess the feasibility of a centralized nurse-led comprehensive HIV prevention program, inclusive of PrEP, in a busy OBGYN academic clinical setting.

Adolescent Digital Health Platform
January 2021 - Present
This goal of this project is to improve access to sexual and reproductive health education and services in the greater Baltimore area for adolescents and young adults ages 13-24.
The primary aim of this project is to develop a digital health platform for adolescents and young adults to be able to access reliable and comprehensive education. The secondary aim is to provide free and reduced cost sexual and reproductive healthcare services to these adolescents and young adults through the digital health platform, violetproject.org.

IMPAct Trich Project
June 2018 - Present
The Implementing Audit and Feedback to Increase Trichomonas vaginalis Testing in Women Living with HIV is a single site, local, implementation study conducted in an academic Infectious Diseases clinic. This project is funded by the Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research (JHU CFAR) through the Implementation Science Scientific Working Group (ISSWG) microgrant.
The primary aim is to use a provider audit and feedback mechanism to increase Trichomonas vaginalis screening in women living with HIV.

HEALING Study
July 2020
The HIV Educational Animation Learning Group (HEALING) study is a subset, single site, virtual focus group study. 40 participants (20 providers, 20 female patients) were recruited from the Johns Hopkins Women’s Health Outpatient clinic.
The primary objective was to obtain end-user feedback on PrEP animation educational materials pertaining to PrEP use and prescription. An animation was created as material to be used during routine clinical comprehensive HIV counseling sessions.

Bupivacaine Study
March 2021 - Present
This is a proof of concept, three-arm, randomized placebo-controlled trial. 200 patients undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures will be recruited from Johns Hopkins Hospital's minimally invasive gynecologic clinics. The study will be driven by residents and fellows in the minimally invasive gynecology program (Lead: Anja Frost, MD).
The goal of this study is to determine the effect of intra-operative uterosacral bupivacaine injection on post-operative pain in patients undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy.
Previous Work
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for Prevention of HIV

Description
We have conducted formative research on PrEP, a once daily medication that can help prevent aquisition of HIV. PrEP uptake among heterosexual women is strikingly low, even though heterosexual women are the second most likely group in the US to aquire HIV.
Outcomes
Fruhauf T, Coleman JS. A Missed Opportunity for U.S. Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Elimination: Pre-exposure Prophylaxis During Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Oct;130(4):703-709. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002258.
Next Steps
We are currently carrying out a randomized control trial to improve the uptake of PrEP among htereosexual women with risk factors for HIV at multiple sites within the Johns Hopkins Medicine network. This RCT is sponsored by Gilead Sciences.
Expedited Partner Therapy to Prevent STI Reinfection

Description
The Coleman Research group has made multiple contributions to the field of Expedited Partner Therapy, a clinical practice of treating the partners of those who test positive for an STI.
Outcomes
Jamison CD, Coleman JS, Mmeje O.
Improving Women's Health and Combatting Sexually Transmitted Infections Through Expedited Partner Therapy. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Mar;133(3):416-422. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003088.
Qin JZ, Diniz CP, Coleman JS. Pharmacy-level barriers to implementing expedited partner therapy in Baltimore, Maryland. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 May;218(5):504.e1-504.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.01.036. 2018 Feb 2.
Mmeje O, Coleman JS. Concurrent patient-partner treatment in pregnancy: an alternative to expedited partner therapy?. Sex Transm Dis. 2012 Sep;39(9):665-70. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318259f5a4.
Next Steps
We are currently working on a new study to increase uptake of EPT in Baltimore.
Conception Counseling and Practices for HIV Serodiscordant Couples

Description
The Coleman Research Group has conducted a number of studies to improve counseling and practices for HIV serodiscordant couples in the US (one partner is living with HIV, one is not).
Outcomes
Friedman E, Orlando MS, Anderson J, Coleman JS. "Everything I Needed from Her Was Everything She Gave Back to Me:" An Evaluation of Preconception Counseling for U.S. HIV-serodiscordant Couples Desiring Pregnancy. Womens Health Issues. 2016 May-Jun;26(3):351-6. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2015.11.004. Epub 2016 Jan 6.
Liao C, Wahab M, Anderson J, Coleman JS. Reclaiming fertility awareness methods to inform timed intercourse for HIV serodiscordant couples attempting to conceive. J Int AIDS Soc. 2015;18:19447. doi: 10.7448/IAS.18.1.19447. eCollection 2015.
Boelig RC, Coleman JS, Keller J, Sewell C, Anderson J. Preconception counseling and care in the setting of HIV: clinical characteristics and comorbidities. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2015;2015:240613. doi: 10.1155/2015/240613. Epub 2015 Mar 8.
Cervical Cancer, Pap Testing, and HPV Prevention

Description
The Coleman Research Group has conducted a number of studies to improve progress towards the elimination of cervical cancer, including work on improving cervical cancer screening techniques and pap testing.
Outcomes
Nguyen AQ, Mandigo M, Coleman JS. Cervical Cancer Screening for Women With Disabilities: Time for a New Approach?. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2018 Oct;22(4):318-319. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000432.
Peprah S, Coleman JS, Rositch AF, Vanden Bussche CJ, Moore R, D'Souza G. Utilization of Pap testing among women living with HIV enrolled in primary care in Baltimore, Maryland: A 10-year longitudinal study, 2005-2014. Papillomavirus Res. 2018 Dec;6:52-57. doi: 10.1016/j.pvr.2018.10.002. Epub 2018 Oct 25.
Coleman JS, Cespedes MS, Cu-Uvin S, Kosgei RJ, Maloba M, Anderson J, Wilkin T, Jaquet A, Bohlius J, Anastos K, Wools-Kaloustian K. An Insight Into Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Capacity in Sub Saharan Africa. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2016 Jan;20(1):31-7. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000165.
Next Steps
We are currently carrying out a study to determine the uptake of postpartum HPV vaccination to prevent aquisition of HPV-related diseases including cervical cancer. This study is sponsored by Merck & Co., and also aims to determine if a 2-dose vaccine regiment is non-inferior to a 3-dose vaccine regiment for girls and women ages 15-45.
Breastfeeding among
People Living with HIV

Description
A mixed methods study was carried out among providers in the US who cared for WLHIV. Evidence and ethical justification for US breastfeeding policies for people living with HIV was also assessed.
Outcomes
Tuthill EL, Tomori C, Van Natta M, Coleman JS. "In the United States, we say, 'No breastfeeding,' but that is no longer realistic": provider perspectives towards infant feeding among women living with HIV in the United States. J Int AIDS Soc. 2019 Jan;22(1):e25224. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25224.
Gross MS, Taylor HA, Tomori C, Coleman JS. Breastfeeding with HIV: An Evidence-Based Case for New Policy. J Law Med Ethics. 2019 Mar;47(1):152-160. doi: 10.1177/1073110519840495.
Mycoplasma genitalium: Women's BioHealth Study

Description
A mixed methods study was carried out among providers in the US who cared for WLHIV. Evidence and ethical justification for US breastfeeding policies for people living with HIV was also assessed.
Outcomes
Trent M, Coleman JS, Hardick J, Perin J, Tabacco L, Huettner S, Ronda J, Felter-Wernsdorfer R, Gaydos CA. Clinical and sexual risk correlates of Mycoplasma genitalium in urban pregnant and non-pregnant young women: cross-sectional outcomes using the baseline data from the Women's BioHealth Study. Sex Transm Infect. 2018 Sep;94(6):411-413. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2017-053367. Epub 2018 Mar 29.