His research examines the formation of (in)fidelity networks -- networks of individuals who enjoy having many partners but do not want their partners to have other partners. Dr. Pongou characterizes these networks through various assumptions about individual rationality and social norms. His research highlights how differences in gender relations lead to different sexual networks, and explains why women are more affected than men by HIV/AIDS in some societies, but not in others. Dr. Roland has extended his research to examine multi-ethnic societies, enabling him to develop a new explanation for the high concentration of HIV/AIDS in regions like sub-Saharan Africa.