A highly qualified HIV research workforce that reflects a wide variety of experience and perspectives is essential to improve the relevance of HIV research to communities most affected by HIV; to facilitate creative, novel, and context-specific approaches to reaching all people at risk for and living with HIV; and ultimately end the HIV epidemic.
Members of the HU CFAR participate in multiple existing programs to train and mentor such investigators. These include conferences, symposia, and individual mentorship that encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers, biomedical research, and HIV in particular, as well as programs that support students across different stages of their academic careers.
For advice on how and which of the following programs to get involved, please contact:
Programs:
Ragon Institute Summer Experience (RISE): This program at the Ragon Institute (an MGH-, Harvard-, and MIT-affiliated Institute dedicated to immunologic research to prevent and cure human disease) provides internships and didactic teaching to high school students from the Boston area. Dr. Ghebremichael is a RISE mentor and supports program planning and expansion.
BWH Research Infectious Disease (ID) and Global Engagement (BRIDGE): With support from both BWH and the HU CFAR, this new Summer Fellowship Program is a new 10-week summer research experience in infectious diseases and global health for college students and recent college graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds. The first year of this program included 6-7 interns selected from over 250 applicants nationally. Each intern participated in a mentored experience in basic science, clinical or translational research. BWH with the HU CFAR brings together a range of innovative clinical care, research, education, and training programs. The Division and CFAR includes world-class experts in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, with a long history of innovation in research and clinical care. The areas of focus include HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, transplantation and oncology-related infections, microbial pathogenesis, infectious disease epidemiology, hospital epidemiology, and global health. BRIDGE is led by Dr. Shahin Lockman (HU CFAR member), Dr. Sophia Koo, LaKeisha Gandy, Jennifer Manne-Goehler and Sigal Yawetz.
