Karsten Lunze MD, MPH, DrPH, FACPM, FAAP
Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine
801 Massachusetts Ave | (617) 414-7399karsten.lunze@bmc.org
lunze@bu.edu
Sections
General Internal Medicine
Centers
Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit
Biography
Karsten Lunze holds a medical degree and doctorates in genetic epidemiology and public health. Following clinical training in pediatrics at Charité Berlin, Germany, and the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, and in public health/preventive medicine and addiction medicine at BMC, he has conducted research concerned with individual and structural risks affecting disadvantaged populations. His clinical health services research has been devoted to improving the health of women and newborns in resource-limited environments. Karsten's federally and foundation-supported global health research aims to improve access to quality care for disadvantaged populations worldwide by addressing intersectional stigma and other barriers to prevention and care via multi-level behavioral and pharmacological interventions for people with addictions, HIV, TB and other conditions.
Director of Global Health, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center
Co-Director, Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Substance Use Research Core
Access to quality care for disadvantaged people
Stigma, HIV prevention and care in key populations
Behavioral interventions in humanitarian settings
Implementation Science
Global maternal and newborn health
Education
MD, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Public Health, DPH/DrPH, Boston University School of Public Health
Medical Sciences & Management, DM, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
MPH, Harvard School of Public Health
Publications
Truong V, Kekibiina A, Muyindike WR, Gnatienko N, Tsui JI, Emenyonu NI, Cheng DM, Hahn JA, Allison O, Bullard MJ, Lunze K, Samet JH. Gabapentin to achieve HIV viral load suppression in people with risky drinking in Mbarara, Uganda: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (GRAIL). Trials. 2026 Jun 03. PMID: 42237416.
Published on 6/1/2026Calver K, Sereda Y, Makarenko O, Gnatienko N, Hook K, Kahler CW, Kiriazova T, Lunze K. Prevalence of and readiness to reduce alcohol use and smoking among adults with TB and HIV in Ukraine. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2026 Jun 01; 30(6):285-287. PMID: 42226367.
Published on 5/28/2026Rossi SL, Cheng DM, Sereda Y, Truong V, Carroll JJ, Kiriazova T, Lodi S, Michals A, Raj A, Krupitsky E, Lioznov D, Samet JH, Lunze K. COVID-19 pandemic-related stress and substance use behaviors among people with HIV - a mixed method analysis. PLoS One. 2026; 21(5):e0349567. PMID: 42207818.
Published on 4/3/2026Gutin SA, Atukunda E, Khorassani FS, Fatch R, So-Armah K, Tumwegamire A, Emenyonu NI, da Silva CE, Ngabirano C, Lunze K, Adong J, Muyindike W, Hahn JA. Intersectional Stigma and Health of People Living with HIV on ART Who Use Alcohol in Southwestern Uganda. AIDS Behav. 2026 Apr 03. PMID: 41931222.
Published on 12/1/2025Nadiradze A, Khetsuriani K, Talakvadze T, Gulbani M, Ratiani E, Nebieridze A, Gaprindashvili N, Tabagari N, Lunze K, Nadareishvili I. Primary Care Physicians' Knowledge and Counseling on Cannabis Use in the Country of Georgia: Results of a Mixed-Method Exploratory Study. J Prim Care Community Health. 2025; 16:21501319251394522. PMID: 41324179.
Published on 10/15/2025Truong V, Kekibiina A, Muyindike W, Gnatienko N, Tsui JI, Emenyonu NI, Cheng DM, Hahn J, Allison O, Bullard MJ, Lunze K, Samet JH. Gabapentin to achieve HIV viral load suppression in people with risky drinking in Mbarara, Uganda: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (GRAIL). Res Sq. 2025 Oct 15. PMID: 41282191.
Published on 7/24/2025Huang J, Yang S, Xie Z, Guo B, Lan Y, Li Y, Jiang Y, Forman LS, Lunze K, Liang B, Abdullah AS, Ye L, Liang H, Quintiliani LM. WeChat-based Messaging and Behavioral Counseling for Smoking Cessation for People with HIV in China: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial. AIDS Behav. 2025 Dec; 29(12):3866-3876. PMID: 40705206.
Published on 5/11/2025Kirvalidze M, Kasrashvili M, Tskitishvili A, Aladashvili G, Chelidze N, Tvildiani N, Lunze K, Nadareishvili I. Access to Medical Residency: A Qualitative Study of Medical Graduates' Experiences in Georgia. J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2025; 12:23821205251342050. PMID: 40357006.
Published on 3/30/2025Aladashvili G, Kirvalidze M, Tskitishvili A, Chelidze N, Tvildiani N, Pkhakadze G, Bossert TJ, Lunze K, Nadareishvili I. Strengthening Health Workforce in Georgia: Identifying Gaps and Integrating Evidence-Based Strategic Planning. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2025 Jul; 40(4):993-1001. PMID: 40159301.
Published on 3/1/2025Davis A, Nyblade L, Sun Y, Balabekova O, Landers SE, Gryazev D, Tucker JD, Gulyaev V, Rosenthal SL, Lunze K, Tang W, Kuskulov A, Terlikbayeva A, Primbetova S, Chang M, Denebayeva AY, Akhmetova AU, Absemetova A, Karzhaubayeva S, Kassymbekova S, Maximova M, Mussina Z, Bekenova G, Nugmanova Z, Kalmatayeva Z, Polyakova L, Zhazykbaeva ZK, Vinogradov V, Shaikezhanov A, Darisheva M, Orynbetova B, Norakidze E, Kozhakhmet M, Tolegenova A, Imadillda A, Satkhozhina D, Kartamyssov A, Kanieva Z, Aleshina A, Makhan O, Muravyova A, Rahimzanova A, Duisenbayev A, Tursynbek Z, Dias N, Beken M, Murzakhan M, Brown ZA, Maitekov D, Li A, Mergen S, Mergenov D, Kuanysh A, Rakhimbekov A, Baisbay Y, Aruzhan A, Kozhambet Z, Grebenchishikov D, Bekker D, Kozhamberdiev S, Salykov D, Sagimbayeva M, Yussupova K, Mergenova G. A digital citizen science intervention to reduce HIV stigma and promote HIV testing: a randomized clinical trial among adolescents and young adults in Kazakhstan. Sex Health. 2025 Mar; 22. PMID: 40146739.
Media Mentions
Published on 3/25/2022
Research partners from Boston, Ukraine, Russia fear war will hurt HIV and substance use efforts
Published on 3/24/2022
Researcher Refuses to Give Up on His Public Health Efforts in Russia and Ukraine
View full list of 2 media mentions.