Robert Gross, MD, MSCE
Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)
Department: Medicine
Contact information
804 Blockley Hall
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
423 Guardian Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
423 Guardian Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021
Office: 215-898-2437
Fax: 215-573-5315
Fax: 215-573-5315
Publications
Education:
BA (Italian)
Cornell University , 1986.
MD
Cornell University, 1991.
MSCE (Pharmacoepidemiology)
University of Pennsylvania, 2000.
BA (Italian)
Cornell University , 1986.
MD
Cornell University, 1991.
MSCE (Pharmacoepidemiology)
University of Pennsylvania, 2000.
Links
Search PubMed for articles
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics faculty webpage.
Permanent linkSearch PubMed for articles
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics faculty webpage.
Description of CCEB Expertise
Robert Gross, M.D., M.S.C.E., is board certified in Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology. Dr. Gross is Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology in the Division of Infectious Diseases and has a position as Senior Scholar (core faculty) within the CCEB. Dr. Gross is an Infectious Diseases pharmacoepidemiologist with a particular interest in treatment outcomes with chronic viral infections including HIV and viral hepatitis (i.e., HCV, HBV). Dr. Gross’ projects have focused on all aspects of adherence behavior including assessment of risk factors for suboptimal outcomes and testing various interventions in the developed and developing worlds. He designed and is PI of an NIMH R01-funded adherence intervention based on problem solving theory (MAPS-Managed Problem Solving) as well as vice chair of A5073, a study of modified directly observed therapy. He also designed and is co-chair of A5234, an international study (Botswana, Brazil, Haiti, Peru, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa) testing partner-based directly observed therapy in first treatment failures. His methods work is focused on the use of pharmacy refill measures of antiretroviral adherence and he has refined this approach over the last several years. Dr. Gross also has a research program ongoing in Botswana where he has an NIMH R01-funded cohort study of the impact of pharmacogenetic differences on HIV treatment outcomes. The aim is to determine whether pharmacogenetic information can be used to tailor antiretroviral therapy to the individual for better outcomes.Description of Content-based Expertise
Adherence, Infectious Diseases, Patient-Oriented Research, PsychosocialSelected Publications
Greene B, Schnoll R, Gross R, Ashare R: Examining the role of Alternative Reinforcers and Smoking Cessation Outcomes among People with and without HIV who Smoke. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 2025 (in press).Shivji S, Mannathoko N, Mosepele M, Gross R, Cressman L, Jaskowiak-Barr A, Bilker WB, Alby K, Glaser L, Patel A, Sewawa K, Otukile D, Paganotti GM, Mokomane M, Snitkin E, Lautenbach E: Risk Factors for Household Colonization by Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE) in Botswana. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control 2025 (in press).
Loabile B, Bilker WB, Khunou K, Ngwako N, Tsima B, Brooks M, Moloi T, Morroni C, Gross R: Association of HIV Status with Infections Complicating Abortion in Botswana. AIDS 2025 (in press).
Blumenthal D, Stevens N, Leone FT, Bauer A-M, Wileyto EP, Jenssen B, Koenig H, O’Donnell J, Gross R, & Schnoll R : A formative study to develop nudges informed by behavioral economics to increase engagement with tobacco treatment among people who smoke receiving care for HIV. Drug & Alcohol Dependence Reports 2025 (in press).
Cancedda C, Brooks M, Nkomazana O, Keetile M, Ramogola Masire D, Tsima B, Steenhoff A, Gross R, Grover S, Lautenbach E, Kebabonye M, Motlhatlhedi K, Ndlovu K, Gaulton G, Barg FK: Finding the Balance Between Academic Productivity and Impact: Evaluation of the Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership over a Five-Year Timeframe BMJ Global Health 2025 (in press).
Loabile B, Ahmed D, Nteba O, Tsima B, Kgwaadira B, Schriger S, Mosepele M, Barg FK, Schnoll RA, Gross R: Factors Affecting the Integration of Tobacco Cessation Services for Tuberculosis Patients in Botswana. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Open 2025 (in press).
Evans DL†, Spitsin S, Lynch KG, Voytek CD, Daramay MG, Hembree EA, Fiore D, Gross R, Scott JC, Douglas SD†, Thase ME (†deceased) : A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial of the Effects of Escitalopram on Depressive Symptoms and Immune Function in People with Human Immunodeficiency Viru. Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science 2025 (in press).
Medaglio D, Leonard CE, Stephens Shields AJ, Schnoll RA, Gross R: Training a Smoking Status Probabilistic Model Using Cotinine Levels in a Large Claims Database. Nicotine and Tobacco Research 2025 (in press).
Mantshonyane L, Jarvis J, Loabile B, Mokete M, Monnaatlala R, Mmolai GM, Mosomodi A, Gross R : “Test & Treat” for HIV Had Little Effect on Outcomes but Missed Clinic Visits Threaten Success of Botswana’s National ART Program AIDS Patient Care and STDs 2025 (in press).
Sanchez AL, Mills C, Coley D, Hoskins K, Momplaisir F, Gross R, Brady KA, Beidas RS: Systemic Inequities, Dignity, and Trust in the Context of HIV Care: A Qualitative Analysis. International Journal for Equity in Health 24: 123, 2025.