Bio-behavioral and Community Science Core
The Bio-Behavioral and Community Science Core provides consultation services to HU CFAR members on the behavioral and social science aspects of HIV prevention and treatment, with the goal of supporting investigators and stimulating cross-disciplinary, cross-Harvard, and community collaborations.
Services
Review of Grant Applications
We provide consultation on and review of grant applications with a behavioral science/social science or implementation science component for both external grants (e.g. NIH) and internal grants (e.g. CFAR Developmental Awards).
Applicants are asked to consult with the Core – 6 weeks before their application deadline.
Community-based-participatory research (CBPR)
The Core serves as a link between HU CFAR’s researchers and the HU CFAR Community Advisory Boards via HU CFAR’s Community Programs to help researchers integrate CBPR into their work, and to ensure that community priorities are being addressed in HU CFAR research.
Development of Conceptual / theoretical models
We provide expertise to ensure that research is driven by a logical conceptual model that justifies the study, demonstrates its place in the literature, shows its significance and innovation, and guides the measurement plan.
Survey Assessment
We have expertise in the methods necessary for survey development and delivery services on a wide scale. The core provides expertise and guidance to develop valid behavioral/social science measures relevant to HIV research.
Qualitative and mixed methods
Qualitative research is used to understand the context or develop a theory behind behaviors, and as a first step in intervention development. The core provides consultation on qualitative protocol development, data collection, and analysis methods.
Behavioral intervention development
The Core provides services on the entire continuum of behavioral intervention development:
More
- Developing and testing a conceptual model of why the negative behavior is occurring in the context and population (using literature reviews, mixed methods)
- Piloting the intervention with feedback from community, stakeholders, and participants
- Finalizing the intervention
- Conducting a pilot randomized trial
- Conducting efficacy studies
- Conducting effectiveness studies
- Conducting dissemination and implementation studies
Implementation Science
Implementation science seeks to understand and improve the use of evidence-based practices in health care. The core provides consultation on implementation science methods, including study design, selection of frameworks and implementation strategies, and implementation outcome assessment. The core also links trainees and investigators to implementation science resources and training opportunities.
Contact us to use our services
Aima Ahonkhai, MD, MPH
Associate Director, Bio-behavioral and Community Science Core; Director, Community Engaged Research ProgramHU CFAR Executive Committee Memberaahonkhai@mgh.harvard.edu
Wanda Allen, BS
Associate Director, Community Engaged Research Program, Bio-behavioral and Community Science Corewanda_allen@harvard.edu
Kenneth H. Mayer, MD
Director, HU CFAR Bio-Behavioral and Community Science; HU CFAR Executive Committee MemberProfessor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Co-Director, The Fenway InstituteProfessor, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Healthkhmayer@gmail.com
Conall M. O’Cleirigh, PhD
Associate Director, HU CFAR Bio-behavioral and Community Science Core; HU CFAR Executive Committee MemberDirector, Behavioral Medicine Program, Massachusetts General HospitalAssociate Professor, Harvard Medical Schoolcocleirigh@mgh.harvard.edu
Christina Psaros, PhD
Associate Director, Implementation Science, Bio-behavioral and Community Science Core Associate Director, Behavioral Medicine Program, Massachusetts General HospitalAssociate Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical Schoolcpsaros@mgh.harvard.edu
Courtney Yuen, PhD
Associate Director, Implementation Science, Bio-behavioral and Community Science Core Assistant Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospitalcourtney_yuen@hms.harvard.edu
Contact us with questions:
Email: cfar@harvard.edu
Harvard University Center for AIDS Research
42 Church Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-384-9039
Fax: 617-496-1833