By Jaelon Jackson
School of Social Work
PhD candidate, Ahmed Alanazi
In late April, a PhD candidate at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work successfully defended his dissertation.
Ahmed Alanazi defended his dissertation titled “Resilience and Reality: The Lived Experiences of People With HIV in Texas During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
His research focuses on how people living with HIV navigated the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic—balancing health risks, medical access, stigma and social isolation. Alanazi’s study gives voice to a marginalized population often left out of pandemic conversations and highlights their strength, adaptability and resilience during the pandemic.
Alanazi began his graduate journey at UTA as a Master of Social Work student and continued into the doctoral program with a clear focus on social justice and health equity. His commitment to research that centers on vulnerable communities guided him through each stage of the PhD process.
“From my perspective as a mentor, what stood out most about Ahmed’s dissertation was his commitment to addressing a socially stigmatized condition and amplifying the voices of a marginalized population—people living with HIV,” said Dr. Eusebius Small, who chaired Alanazi’s dissertation committee. “His research demonstrated both intellectual rigor and deep empathy.”
Small joined the committee after the research was underway but worked closely with Alanazi during the analysis stage to ensure ethical care and authentic representation of participants’ voices.
“The persistent stigma surrounding HIV necessitates rigorous safeguards to protect confidentiality,” Small said. “These measures were essential not only to uphold ethical standards but also to foster trust and ensure the research remained respectful and empowering to the community it sought to understand.”
Dr. Rachel Voth Schrag, director of the PhD program, said Alanazi’s study stands out for both its relevance and its heart.
“Ahmed’s time in the program was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted how society interacted with each other and shaped our priorities as individuals and communities,” she said.
“He recognized that this would have an important impact on the population he cares about—individuals living with HIV and AIDS—and used the opportunity of his dissertation project to explore these experiences and provide guidance for future pandemics.”
Reflecting on Alanazi’s time in the program, Small noted how his drive and presence left a lasting impression.
“He took my Theory and Modeling course during his first semester, and he made such a strong impression that I assumed he had already been in the program for years,” Small said. “It’s been gratifying to see him reach this milestone.”
Alanazi’s successful defense marks a major milestone in his academic career and adds to the School of Social Work’s legacy of producing scholars whose research is grounded in advocacy, lived experience and real-world impact. He will be graduating this May.