Bio
Dr. Zahra Fazli Khalaf is an Assistant Professor of Psychology (Tenure Track). She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in gender and sexual health. She also completed a Master of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies, and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling.
Dr. Khalaf teaches courses on Psychological Research Methods, Psychology of Women, and Applied Health Psychology.
Fall 2024:
-Methods/Applications of Psychological Research
-Master's Thesis
Research Interests
Dr. Khalaf's research centers on psychosocial determinants of health, with a focus on health equity in communities and fostering equitable academic experiences on campus. She uses intersectionality and the Social Ecological Model of Health to explore how individual, social, and environmental factors influence health behaviors and access to care. Her work includes creating culturally tailored, community-based interventions for health promotion. Currently, she is investigating sexual risk behaviors linked to unplanned pregnancies and STIs, while also piloting HIV prevention programs for previously incarcerated women.
Sponsored Projects:
Dr. Khalaf leads the Yale ASCEND grant, studying sexual risk behaviors among LGBTQ students at HBCUs versus PWIs and their implications for STIs/HIV interventions.
She is also a co-investigator on an RCT study connecting incarcerated women to post-release PrEP services, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Recent Publications
- Dakysha Moore Onsomu, Sharon Parker, Zahra Fazli Khalaf (2024). (Leaders of Welcoming and Affirming Churches in North Carolina Discuss their Roles in HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention). (1) 13, Advanced Journal of Social Science.
- Shayesteh Jahanfar, Zahra Fazli Khalaf (2022). (Level of sexual health knowledge and one-night stand relationships among university students). (3) 14, Global Journal of Health Science.
- Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Jun Wei Liow, Sivalingam Nalliah, Andrew Foong (2022). (When Health Intersects with Gender and Sexual Diversity: Medical Students’ Attitudes towards LGBTQ Patients). 14, pp. 1-24. Journal of Homosexuality.
- Zahra Fazli Khalaf (2021). (Diversity Without Inclusion: The Experience of Female Graduate Students of Color at a Minority Serving Institution (MSI)). 1, pp. 88. University of North Texas https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1833490/.
- Andrew LS Foong, Jun Wei Liow, Sivalingam Nalliah, Wah Yun Low, Zahra Fazli Khalaf (2020). (Attitudes of Future Doctors Towards LGBT Patients in Conservative Malaysian Society). 24, pp. 1358-1375. Sexuality & Culture.
- Elaine Wan Ling Chan, Poh Sin Yap, Zahra Fazli Khalaf (2019). (Factors associated with high strain in caregivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Malaysia). (4) 40, pp. 380-385. Geriatric Nursing.
- Muneer Babar, Syed Hasan, Sufyan Akram, Ismail Burud, Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Kenneth Reckelhoff (2018). (Living with Empathy in the 21st Century). In V Lim, P Lim, J Mak, (Embracing Tomorrow's Challenges) pp. 167-212. Embracing Tomorrow's Challenges.
- Siew Ching Goy, Yut Lin Wong, Wah Yun Low, Siti Nurani Mohd Noor, Zahra Fazli Khalaf (2018). (Swimming against the tide in STEM education and gender equality: a problem of recruitment or retention). (11) 43, pp. 1793-1809. Studies in Higher Education.
- Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Jun Wei Liow, Wah Yun Low, Behzad Ghorbani, Effat Merghati-Khoei (2018). (Young Women’s Experience of Sexuality: A Battle of Pleasure and Sexual Purity in the Context of Malaysian Society). 22, pp. 849–864. Sexuality & Culture.
- Jun Wei Liow, Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Andrew Foong (2017). (The experience of intimate relationships among homosexual men). (4) 21, pp. 1140-1156. Sexuality & Culture.
- Alexander Lourdes Samy, Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Wah-Yun Low (2015). (Mental Health in the Asia-Pacific Region: An Overview). (2) 10, pp. 9-18. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences.
- Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Wah Yun Low, Effat Merghati-Khoei, Behzad Ghorbani (2014). (Sexuality education in Malaysia: Perceived issues and barriers by professionals). (4) 26, pp. 358-366. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health.
- Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Wah Yun Low, Behzad Ghorbani, Effat Merghati Khoei (2013). (Perception of masculinity amongst young Malaysian men: a qualitative study of university students). 13, pp. 1-8. BMC Public Health.
- Zohreh Behjati Ardekani, Mahdi Akhondi, Kourosh Kamali , Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Behzad Ghorbani (2011). (Mental Health Status of Patients Attending Avicenna Infertility Clinic). (4) 11, pp. 319-324. Journal of Reproduction And Infertility.
- Zahra Fazli Khalaf, Abdollah Shafiabadi, Madjid Tarahomi (2008). (Psychological aspects of surrogate motherhood). (1) 9, pp. 43-49. Journal of Reproduction & Infertility.
