Deepthi S Varma,
Research Assistant Professor
Department:
Department of Epidemiology
Business Phone:
(352) 294-5941
Business Email:
dvarma@ufl.edu
About Deepthi S Varma
Dr. Varma is a Psychiatric Epidemiologist specializing in women’s health, with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health, perinatal mental health, substance use, and the social determinants of health among pregnant and postpartum women. Her research involves the development and implementation of Digital Interventions, such as mobile phone-based applications, to deliver preventive interventions to women. Dr. Varma’s methodological expertise lies in qualitative research and mixed methods research. She leads the biweekly Qualitative Research Colloquium at the College of Public Health and Health Professions. Additionally, she teaches courses on Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (PHC 6591) and Introduction to Mixed Methods Research (PHC 6937). Dr. Varma’s commitment to advancing maternal and child health extends beyond research, as she serves on the editorial board of the esteemed Maternal and Child Health Journal and on the Board of Directors at the Healthy Start of North Central Florida Coalition.
Accomplishments
Elected Member
2021
·
Beta Upsilon chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health
CTSI Mentor Academy
2018
·
University of Florida
Global mHealth Research Training Institute
2016
·
NIH Fogarty International Center, NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
International Research Travel Grant
2015
·
University of Florida International Center (UFIC)
Nominated Member
2015
·
Academy Of Research Excellence (ARE), UF, Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Travel Award
2009
·
First International Conference on Alcohol and HIV, Mumbai, India 2008
Travel Award
2008
·
American Psychopathological Association Meeting, New York
Best Paper Award
2000
·
Scientific Sessions of the 19th Annual Conference of Indian Society of Professional Social Workers, Mysore, India
Dr. Govindaswami Award
1998
·
Best outgoing student in M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work (1996-1998 batch), National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
Certificate on Eligibility for Lectureship
1996
·
University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India
MPhil Fellowship in Psychiatric Social Work
1996
·
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
Teaching Profile
Courses Taught
2017,2019-2025
PHC6937 Special Topics in Public Health
2020-2021
PHC7918 Independent Study
2014-2020
PHC6946 Public Health Internship
2014-2020
PHC6601 Seminar in Contemporary Public Health Issues
2014-2017
PHC4101 Public Health Concepts
2017
PHC7000 Epidemiology Seminar II: Critical Evaluation, Research Proposals, and Methods
2015,2024-2025
PHC7979 Advanced Research
2021-2023
PHC6941 MPH Applied Practice Experience
2021-2025
PHC6591 Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology
2021
HSC4913 Supervised Research Experience
2022-2025
HSC4970 Public Health and Health Professions Senior Honors Thesis
2024-2025
PHC6971 Research for Master’s Thesis
2025
PHC6940 Master of Public Health Capstone
Research Profile
Areas of Interest
- Social Determinants of Women’s health
- Alcohol and substance use
- Mixed Methods Research
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Qualitative Research
- Women’s Health
- mHealth
Publications
Academic Articles
2025
Impacts of Substance Use and Mental Health Symptoms on Cervical Cancer Screening and Viral Suppression: A Mixed Methods Study With Reproductive-Age Women With HIV in Florida
Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.
[DOI] 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000529.
2025
Mixed evidence for the relationship between HIV stigma and Pain in two studies of people with HIV in Florida.
The journal of pain.
27
[DOI] 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.104746.
[PMID] 39613125.
2025
Quantitative analysis of Δ8- and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites and isomers: a rapid assay in urine by LC-MS/MS.
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry.
417(8):1507-1518
[DOI] 10.1007/s00216-025-05738-x.
[PMID] 39847096.
2025
The Interaction of Race and Pregnancy Intentions on Breastfeeding Initiation Rates and Duration in the United States.
Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
20(1):25-32
[DOI] 10.1089/bfm.2024.0189.
[PMID] 39466051.
2024
Associations of Intimate Partner Violence and Drug Use on Viral Suppression Among Women Living With HIV in South Florida: A Secondary Analysis.
The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC.
35(3):245-251
[DOI] 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000439.
[PMID] 38417080.
2024
Biomarker-based text messages to promote lactation success in mothers of critically Ill infants: a randomized controlled pilot study
Journal of Perinatology.
44(9):1312-1319
[DOI] 10.1038/s41372-024-01975-7.
[PMID] 38705950.
2024
The HealthStreet Cancer Survivor Cohort: a Community Registry for Cancer Research.
Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice.
18(2):366-374
[DOI] 10.1007/s11764-022-01173-4.
[PMID] 35089522.
2023
Acceptability of an mHealth App for Monitoring Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health: Qualitative Study With Women and Providers.
JMIR formative research.
7
[DOI] 10.2196/44500.
[PMID] 37285185.
2023
Changes in frequency of cannabis use among people with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-methods study to explore the underlying reasons for change
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
49(4):470-480
[DOI] 10.1080/00952990.2023.2176234.
[PMID] 36898081.
2023
Leveraging mHealth and a milk expression frequency biomarker during postpartum to prolong lactation among parents of critically ill infants: a pilot study.
Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association.
43(5):616-623
[DOI] 10.1038/s41372-023-01639-y.
[PMID] 36882532.
2023
Mental health, substance use, and risky sexual behaviors among women living with HIV.
Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
55(3):751-760
[DOI] 10.1111/jnu.12900.
[PMID] 37132071.
2023
Perceived Effectiveness of Medical Cannabis Among Adults with Chronic Pain: Findings from Interview Data in a Three-Month Pilot Study.
Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.).
6(2):62-75
[DOI] 10.26828/cannabis/2023/000149.
[PMID] 37484052.
2023
Rural and Urban Home Modification Program Users: A Comparative Study.
HERD.
16(2):223-235
[DOI] 10.1177/19375867221142627.
[PMID] 36727246.
2023
Whole Health coaching to rural Veterans through telehealth: Advantages, gaps, and opportunities.
Frontiers in public health.
11
[DOI] 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1057586.
[PMID] 37050942.
2022
Changes in Mental Health Among People with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative and Quantitative Perspectives.
AIDS and behavior.
26(6):1980-1991
[DOI] 10.1007/s10461-021-03547-8.
[PMID] 34993668.
2022
Clinical Decision Making by Medical Marijuana Physicians in Florida: AÂ Qualitative Assessment.
Substance use & misuse.
57(14):2042-2052
[DOI] 10.1080/10826084.2022.2129995.
[PMID] 36305815.
2022
Community health workers and promotoras’ perspectives of a research best practice course: A focus group study.
Journal of clinical and translational science.
6(1)
[DOI] 10.1017/cts.2022.464.
[PMID] 36590350.
2022
Effects of Sex, Race, and Ethnicity on Primary and Subspecialty Healthcare Use by Autistic Children in Florida: A Longitudinal Retrospective Cohort Study (2012-2018).
Research in autism spectrum disorders.
94
[DOI] 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101951.
[PMID] 35498508.
2022
Meeting the Needs of Rural Veterans: A Qualitative Evaluation of Whole Health Coaches’ Expanded Services and Support during COVID-19
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
19(20)
[DOI] 10.3390/ijerph192013447.
[PMID] 36294023.
2022
Predictors of County-Level Home Modification Use Across the US.
Federal practitioner : for the health care professionals of the VA, DoD, and PHS.
39(6):274-280
[DOI] 10.12788/fp.0279.
[PMID] 36404937.
2021
Home Modifications for Rural Veterans With Disabilities.
Federal practitioner : for the health care professionals of the VA, DoD, and PHS.
38(7):300-310
[DOI] 10.12788/fp.0153.
[PMID] 34733079.
2021
It should not require a pandemic to make community engagement in research leadership essential, not optional.
Journal of clinical and translational science.
5(1)
[DOI] 10.1017/cts.2021.8.
[PMID] 34192052.
2021
Practical Considerations in Qualitative Health Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic
International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
20
[DOI] 10.1177/16094069211043755.
[PMID] 34602922.
2021
Sex Differences in Co-occurring Conditions Among Autistic Children and Youth in Florida: A Retrospective Cohort Study (2012-2019).
Journal of autism and developmental disorders.
51(10):3759-3765
[DOI] 10.1007/s10803-020-04841-5.
[PMID] 33394250.
2021
Sex Differences in Willingness to Participate in Research Based on Study Risk Level Among a Community Sample of African Americans in North Central Florida.
Journal of immigrant and minority health.
23(1):19-25
[DOI] 10.1007/s10903-020-01015-4.
[PMID] 32328873.
2020
Correlates related to follow-up in a community engagement program in North Central Florida.
Journal of community psychology.
48(8):2723-2739
[DOI] 10.1002/jcop.22450.
[PMID] 32949042.
2020
Improving community participation in clinical and translational research: CTSA Sentinel Network proof of concept study.
Journal of clinical and translational science.
4(4):323-330
[DOI] 10.1017/cts.2020.21.
[PMID] 33244413.
2020
Recruitment, experience, and retention among women with HIV and hazardous drinking participating in a clinical trial.
BMC public health.
20(1)
[DOI] 10.1186/s12889-020-09233-z.
[PMID] 32718308.
2020
Trust in Community-Engaged Research Partnerships: A Methodological Overview of Designing a Multisite Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Initiative.
Evaluation & the health professions.
43(3):180-192
[DOI] 10.1177/0163278718819719.
[PMID] 30612444.
2019
Age at menarche and depression: results from the NHANES 2005-2016.
PeerJ.
7
[DOI] 10.7717/peerj.7150.
[PMID] 31223544.
2019
Response to letter.
Journal of psychiatric research.
116
[DOI] 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.12.011.
[PMID] 30558836.
2019
Willingness of individuals with eating disorders to participate in health research.
The International journal of eating disorders.
52(8):914-923
[DOI] 10.1002/eat.23090.
[PMID] 31063267.
2018
A systematic review of the effectiveness of mobile apps for monitoring and management of mental health symptoms or disorders.
Journal of psychiatric research.
107:73-78
[DOI] 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.10.006.
[PMID] 30347316.
2018
Conceptualizing trust in community-academic research partnerships using concept mapping approach: A multi-CTSA study.
Evaluation and program planning.
66:70-78
[DOI] 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.10.007.
[PMID] 29053983.
2018
Dietary Balance Index-07 and the Risk of Anemia in Middle Aged and Elderly People in Southwest China: A Cross Sectional Study.
Nutrients.
10(2)
[DOI] 10.3390/nu10020162.
[PMID] 29385057.
2018
Interactions between Alcohol Consumption and Adjuvant Hormone Therapy in Relation to Breast Cancer-Free Survival.
Journal of breast cancer.
21(2):158-164
[DOI] 10.4048/jbc.2018.21.2.158.
[PMID] 29963111.
2018
Patterns of smoking initiation during adolescence and young adulthood in South-West China: findings of the National Nutrition and Health Survey (2010-2012).
BMJ open.
8(5)
[DOI] 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019424.
[PMID] 29858407.
2017
Diet diversity and nutritional status among adults in southwest China.
PloS one.
12(2)
[DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0172406.
[PMID] 28231308.
2017
Stakeholder Perspectives on Creating and Maintaining Trust in Community-Academic Research Partnerships.
Health education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education.
44(1):182-191
[DOI] 10.1177/1090198116648291.
[PMID] 27230272.
2016
A Research Protocol to Test the Effectiveness of Text Messaging and Reminder Calls to Increase Service Use Referrals in a Community Engagement Program
JMIR Research Protocols.
5(2)
[DOI] 10.2196/resprot.5854.
[PMID] 27353040.
2016
Dietary Patterns in Relation to General and Central Obesity among Adults in Southwest China.
International journal of environmental research and public health.
13(11)
[PMID] 27827895.
2016
Gender-Based Violence in Rural Uttar Pradesh, India: Prevalence and Association With Reproductive Health Behaviors.
Journal of interpersonal violence.
31(19):3111-3128
[DOI] 10.1177/0886260515584341.
[PMID] 25948646.
2015
Sustainability: The Critical Piece in a Successful Intervention.
American journal of public health.
105(7)
[DOI] 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302702.
[PMID] 25973814.
2013
Ethical issues in obtaining collateral information on alcohol and drug use: experience from Asia and Africa.
Current opinion in psychiatry.
26(4):330-4
[DOI] 10.1097/YCO.0b013e328361ebd7.
[PMID] 23689550.
2010
Perceptions of HIV risk among monogamous wives of alcoholic men in South India: a qualitative study.
Journal of women's health (2002).
19(4):815-21
[DOI] 10.1089/jwh.2008.0884.
[PMID] 20201705.
2008
Assessment of the effects of social support on adolescents with parents with HIV/AIDS.
American journal of public health.
98(6)
[DOI] 10.2105/AJPH.2007.133140.
[PMID] 18445787.
Presentations
2023-06-25
Smartphone Application to Improve Postpartum Care Quality: Preliminary Evaluation.
National
/
Other.
Poster.
Seattle, WA
2023-05-19
Postpartum mood assessment and intervention using a smartphone-based application.
National
/
Other.
Poster.
Baltimore, MD
2023-05-19
Real-time assessment of symptoms for postpartum care via a smartphone application. Pilot evaluation.
National
/
Other.
Poster.
Baltimore, MD
2022-10-08
Perceived health effects of marijuana use among PLWH during COVID-19
National
/
Other.
Poster.
Puerto Rico
2021-10-12
Associations of alcohol and marijuana with risky sexual behaviors among a cohort of women living with HIV in Florida.
National
/
Other.
Poster.
Virtual
2023-11-23
Lactation barriers among pump-dependent Black mothers of critically ill infants in NICU: a mixed methods study.
National
/
Other.
Poster.
Atlanta, GA
2024-04-15
Sexual and Reproductive Health concerns of women with HIV: provider’s and women’s perspective
Regional
/
Invited.
Symposium.
Gainesville, Florida
2024-03-27
Provider’s perspectives on the sexual and reproductive health concerns of women with HIV: a qualitative study
State
/
Other.
Poster.
Tampa, Florida
Grants
Jul 2024
ACTIVE
Enhancing the Pregnancy and Postpartum Care Continuum with MOMitorTM
Role: Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
Funding: FL DEPT OF HLTH
Jun 2024
ACTIVE
ACCESS Maternal Health Program
Role: Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
Funding: CHILDRENS TRUST OF ALACHUA COUNTY
Jan 2024
ACTIVE
Community-Based Perinatal Mobile Health
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: UF FOUNDATION
via DIRECT RELIEF
Oct 2023
– Sep 2024
Rural Black Women Veterans Service Utilization and Needs Assessment
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: VETERANS RURAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS
Jul 2023
– Jun 2024
Reducing Maternal Morbidity & Mortality with Gator MOMitor Year 3
Role: Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
Funding: FL DEPT OF HLTH
Jan 2023
– Sep 2023
Rural Black Women Veterans Service Utilization and Needs Assessment
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: VETERANS RURAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS
Oct 2022
ACTIVE
Engaging underrepresented populations in cardiovascular disease trials to help reduce disparate outcomes
Role: Project Manager
Funding: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB FOUNDATION
Jul 2022
– Jun 2023
Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality with Gator MOMitor
Role: Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
Funding: FL DEPT OF HLTH
Dec 2021
– Sep 2022
A Study on Whole Health Coordinators Efforts for Rural Veterans and Rural Veteran Whole Health Utilization (Phase III)
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: US DEPT OF VET AFF GAINESVILLE MED CTR
Sep 2021
– Jan 2023
Improving Lactation Success in Black Mothers of Critically Ill Infants in the NICU using Discreet, Hands-free, Wearable Breast Pumps
Role: Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
Funding: UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL
Jul 2021
– Jun 2022
Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the Covid-19 Era and Beyond
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: FL DEPT OF HLTH
Aug 2020
– Jul 2024
Training Promotoras/Community Health Workers using Culturally and Linguistically-Appropriate Research Best Practices
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UNIV OF MICHIGAN
via NATL INST OF HLTH NCATS
May 2020
– Sep 2021
IPA VA Home Modifications for Rural Veterans with Disabilities
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: US DEPT OF VET AFF GAINESVILLE MED CTR
Nov 2019
– Apr 2021
Improving Lactation Success in Mothers of Critically Infants Using Personalized Real-Time Biomarker Based Text Messages
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL
Sep 2019
– Mar 2022
Florida Development in Early Childhood: Adversity and Drug Exposure (FL-DECADE) Study
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIDA
Sep 2019
– Aug 2020
Autism Field-Initiated Innovative Research Studies Program
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: US HLTH RESOURCES AND SERV ADMN
Jul 2019
– Sep 2019
Dr. Varma IPA
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: US DEPT OF VET AFF GAINESVILLE MED CTR
May 2019
– Dec 2019
Heath Promotion and Wellness Coalition and UF HealthStreet Deterra Project
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS COALITION
Sep 2018
– Aug 2020
Identifying patterns of human polysubstance use to guidedevelopment of rodent models
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIDA
Apr 2018
– Mar 2024
Southern HIV and Alcohol Research Consortium (SHARC) Administrative and Research Support Core
Role: Project Manager
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIAAA
Aug 2017
– Mar 2023
Health outcomes and cognitive effects of marijuana use among persons living with HIV/AIDS
Role: Project Manager
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIDA
Sep 2016
– Jun 2023
Effects of experimentally-induced reductions in alcohol consumption on brain cognitive, and clinical outcomes and motivation for changing drinking in older persons with HIV infection
Role: Project Manager
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIAAA
Aug 2015
– Jun 2021
CTSI Institutional Support
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UF DIV OF SPONSORED RES MATCHING FUNDS
Jul 2011
– May 2017
Transformative Approach To Reduce Research Disparities Towards Drug Abusers
Role: Project Manager
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIDA
Jul 2007
– Aug 2016
Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Role: Project Manager
Funding: UF RESEARCH FOU
Education
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
2008
·
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis
PhD (Psychiatric Social Work)
2006
·
NIMHANS Deemed University, Bangalore, India
MPhil (Psychiatric Social Work)
1999
·
NIMHANS Deemed University, Bangalore, India
MSW (Master in Social Work)
1994
·
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
B.Sc (Bachelor of Science)
1992
·
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
Contact Details
Phones:
- Business:
- (352) 294-5941
Emails:
- Business:
- dvarma@ufl.edu
Addresses:
- Business Mailing:
-
PO Box 100231
GAINESVILLE FL 32610 - Business Street:
-
2004 MOWRY RD
DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
GAINESVILLE FL 326103010