overview & mission
The Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training (CHEST) was founded in 1996 by Dr. Jeffrey T. Parsons. Currently Co-Directed by Dr. Parsons and Dr. Sarit A. Golub, CHEST conducts research on social and psychological factors associated with HIV transmission and/or the wellbeing of those living with HIV, with a particular emphasis on the promotion of sexual health.
CHEST’s mission is to conduct research to identify and promote strategies that prevent the spread of HIV and improve the lives of people living with HIV.
We have been advocating for and working with the LGBT community since 1996.
CHEST is part of Hunter College of the City University of New York, where both Drs. Parsons and Golub are faculty in the Psychology Department. CHEST has strong affiliations throughout the CUNY system, with Faculty Affiliates including: Dr. David Bimbi (Laguardia Community College), Dr. Christian Grov (Brooklyn College), Dr. Nancy Foldi (Queens College), Dr. Buffie Longmire-Avital (Elon College), Dr. David Marcotte (Fordham University), Dr. Jose Nanin (Kingsborough Community College), and Dr. John Pachankis (Yeshiva University). In addition, CHEST strong collaborative partnerships with investigators at Purdue University, New York Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Wayne State University.As an academic research center, CHEST supports post-doctoral fellows, doctoral candidates, masters’ students, and undergraduate interns. The majority of our doctoral students attend the CUNY Graduate Center‘s Social-Personality Doctoral Program (working with Drs. Parsons and Golub), Neuropsychology Doctoral Program (working with Dr. Golub), or the Doctoral Program in Public Health (working with Dr. Parsons).
In addition to carrying out formative research, CHEST works hard to disseminate study findings to community organizations serving persons with HIV and at risk for HIV.
