Dr. Rainier (Rain) Masa is an associate professor at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. He is a lead researcher with the Global Social Development Innovations Center and a research fellow at the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg. He is also a faculty affiliate of the UNC African Studies Center and a member of the UNC Center for AIDS Research.
Dr. Masa’s research focuses on the economic and social aspects of health in low-resource communities. He conducts research on the intersection of economic security and HIV among adolescents and young adults. He examines how food access, economic vulnerability, and stigma affect risk for HIV transmission and progression along the HIV care continuum, particularly among key populations.
Degrees and Licenses
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MSW, Washington University in St. Louis
BA, University of Santo Tomas (Manila, Philippines)
Certifications
Safe Zone
Haven
Research and Professional Interests
HIV Prevention and Treatment
Food Security
Stigma
Adolescents and Young Adults
Positive Youth Development
Principal Investigator
A Feasibility Study of Umwini, an Asset-Based Intervention for Young People Living with HIV in Zambia
Intersectional Stigma and Resilience among Young Latino Sexual Minority Men to Improve HIV Testing and PrEP Use
Co-Investigator
Siyakha Youth Assets and Employability Project (South Africa)
Recent Publications
Masa, R. & Chowa, G. (2020). Household food insecurity and educational outcomes in school-going adolescents in Ghana. Public Health Nutrition. doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020001974
Masa, R., Bates, C., & Chowa, G. (2020). Direct and indirect associations of food insecurity, adolescent-parent relationship, and adolescent future orientation. Journal of Family Issues. doi.org/10.1177/0192513X20942807
Masa, R., Khan, Z., & Chowa, G. (2020). Youth food insecurity in Ghana and South Africa: Prevalence, socioeconomic correlates, and moderation effect of gender. Children and Youth Services Review, 116. doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105180
Masa, R., Baca-Atlas, S., & Hangoma, P. (2021). Walking and perceived lack of safety: Correlates and association with health outcomes for people living with HIV in rural Zambia. Journal of Transport and Health, 22, 101140. doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101140
Masa, R. & Sharma, A. (2021). Invariance of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale across different groups of adolescents and young adults. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. doi.org/10.1177/03795721211019634
Masa, R., Shangani, S., & Operario, D. (2021). Socioeconomic status and psychosocial resources mediate racial/ethnic differences in psychological health among gay and bisexual men: A longitudinal analysis using structural equation modeling. American Journal of Men’s Health. doi.org/10.1177/15579883211001197
Courses
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SOWO 510
Foundations for Evidence-Based Practice and Program Evaluation
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Spring 2017-2018, 2020
MSW
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SOWO 530
Foundations of Social Welfare and Social Work
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Fall 2015-2016, 2018-2019
MSW
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SOWO 793
Asset Development Practice and Policy
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Spring 2016, 2019
MSW, CMPP
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SOWO 834
Advanced Policy Practice
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Spring 2018, Fall 2018-2020
MSW, CMPP
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SOWO 835
Poverty Policy
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Spring 2014-2020
MSW, CMPP
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SOWO 910
Research Methods in Social Intervention
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Doctoral Program
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