Professor and Associate Dean for Research
Victoria Behar-Zusman, PhD, is Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. She completed a BA and a PhD in psychology at the University of Miami. Dr. Behar-Zusman is a licensed psychologist with clinical specialization in family therapy. Her research focuses on family process and family intervention in populations affected by substance abuse and HIV.
Dr. Behar-Zusman directs the SONHS PhD program and teaches quantitative research methods and research ethics in the PhD program. She is the principal investigator and research director of the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies’ NIH/NIMHD-funded Center of Excellence for Health Disparities Research, which advances the science of reducing health disparities in the areas of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, family and intimate partner violence, and associated mental and physical health conditions. El Centro is focused on improving health equity among groups of Hispanic and African descent, sexual minorities and people in Caribbean and Latin American nations through the development, testing and dissemination of culturally tailored interventions. Dr. Behar-Zusman also serves as vice-chair of the University of Miami Social Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Board.