Petros Vilakati

Dr. Petros Vilakati is an Assistant Professor of Public Health. He joins St. Lawrence University from The University of Colorado Denver, where he received his PhD in Health and Behavioral Sciences. His research is broadly on health seeking behaviors for men, focusing specifically on men’s engagement in HIV care management in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent research projects include a study of the association between gender attitudes and HIV testing for men, and another study that looks at masculinities and overall engagement in HIV care, including HIV testing, ART initiation, and ART retention. He is very passionate about HIV issues in Southern Africa which is where he was first introduced to the topic as a young volunteer HIV/AIDS youth peer-educator. He maintains ongoing collaboration with community and international organizations involved in men’s health and HIV/AIDS in the United States, Eswatini, and across sub-Saharan Africa. His previous experience in HIV also includes conducting basic science research on HIV RNA transport at the RNA Therapeutics Institute at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He enjoys teaching and getting students excited about public and global health. 

Fall 2024 Courses:
•    PH 216 – Introduction to Public Health
•    PH 3017 – The Global HIV Epidemic