CEW+ applauds Reni’s commitment to sexual and mental health and names her a Riecker Graduate Student Research Fellow.

Reni Forer is pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree and certificate in sexuality education and counseling with plans to specialize in psychiatry. She earned a dual bachelor’s degree in cognitive science and molecular and cellular biology with honors from the University of California, Berkeley. At U-M, Reni has collaborated with Dr. Maria Muzik on research concerning perinatal mental health. She has also contributed to and led online electives on sexual health and LGBTQIA2S+ health in an effort to diversify medical school education. Reni is also a member of The Alternative Sexualities Health Research Alliance, through which she has contributed to research regarding the healthcare experiences of kink/BDSM-engaged people. For Reni’s compassionate, patient-centered care, the University of Michigan Medical School awarded her the 2023 Chen Hsing Hsu MD Humanism Award.

Currently, Reni is conducting research in Lima, Peru, studying the relationship between HIV prevention knowledge, sexual behavior, and sexual pleasure among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men living with HIV. People living with HIV (PLWH) can achieve an undetectable level of the virus in their bloodstream by taking antiretroviral therapy, which then means they cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners. Educating PLWH on this topic can support them in living healthy lives with less anxiety about onward transmission without sacrificing sexual activity and pleasure. This year-long project is supported by her CEW+ fellowship, the Northern Pacific Global Health Fogarty Fellowship, and UCLA’s South American Program in HIV Prevention Research Fellowship.

Inspired by her own experiences and identity, Reni’s post-graduation plans include participating in research, education, and clinical work at the intersection of mental and sexual health, with a focus on promoting health equity and access for sexual, gender, and relationship-diverse communities around the world.

CEW+ applauds Reni’s commitment to sexual and mental health and names her a Riecker Graduate Student Research Fellow.