Dr. Lisa Messersmith

Associate Professor

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Biography

Lisa J. Messersmith is an Associate Professor at Boston University School of Public Health with over 25 years of research and program policy experience in global health focusing on gender, sexuality, HIV, and sexual reproductive health rights in Sub-Saharan Africa and South/Southeast Asia. Dr. Messersmith serves as the principal investigator in several studies, including work funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to improve retention in HIV care for positive pregnant and postpartum women in Uganda. Her current research targets intimate partner violence in Tanzania and investigates vulnerability to HIV among women in Ghana who inject drugs or work in bars. She has extensive experience across various countries, including work with the Vietnam AIDS Policy Planning Project where she trained senior policymakers. Dr. Messersmith has held significant positions, including Research Associate at Johns Hopkins University and Program Officer with the Ford Foundation. She is well-regarded for her expertise in HIV and reproductive health.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2007-01-01 — Present

Boston University School of Public Health • Boston, MA

Teaching and research in public health with a focus on HIV, global health, and policy.

Adjunct Lecturer/Research Fellow

2004-01-01 — 2007-01-01

Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government • Cambridge, MA

Research and teaching in public policy related to global health.

Program Officer

1998-01-01 — 2004-01-01

Ford Foundation • Vietnam

Oversaw projects related to sexual and reproductive health.

Country Programme Advisor

1996-01-01 — 1998-01-01

UNAIDS • Bangladesh

Advised national strategies for HIV/AIDS.

Research Associate

1994-01-01 — 1995-01-01

Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health • Baltimore, MD

Conducted research on international health.

Awards

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Medal of People's Health

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Excellent Teaching Award

Requirements for Boston University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.88
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Resume
  • LSAT or GRE scores
  • Transcripts through LSAC
Specialization Notes

Department of Law offers JD, LLM, and Master's in Study of Tax Law.