Scientific Working Groups, Programs and Inter-CFAR Working Groups
Research activities are organized around scientific programs and working groups that represent a cross-section of member strengths and disciplines and form the architecture used to organize groups and facilitate collaborations.
Scientific programs and working groups host conferences, provide mentoring support for junior investigators, submit proposals for grant support, and organize around new research initiatives.
Scientific Working Groups
HIV and Malignancy
The primary aim of the HIV and Malignancy Scientific Working Group is to address the growing burden of malignancies among people with HIV by 1) engaging community partners, clinicians, and scientists; 2) facilitating clinical and specimen data synthesis and interpretation; and 3) supporting investigators, especially ECIs, in studies of cancer and HIV. A key theme of the SWG is to catalyze translational research, with membership spanning Harvard experts in retrovirology, oncogenesis, HIV reservoirs, clinical trials and population health interventions
Substance Use and HIV
The Substance Use and HIV Scientific Working Group aims to facilitate innovative and fruitful collaborations focused on substance use and HIV across the HU CFAR. While the role of substance use in the perpetuation of the HIV epidemic is well established in the literature, collaborations focused on substance use in the context of HIV treatment and prevention is underdeveloped at the HU CFAR. Over 20 million people in the US alone are living with substance use disorders.
Hepatitis and HIV
The purpose of the Hepatitis & HIV Scientific Working Group (H&H SWG) is to foster collaboration and innovation among researchers, clinicians, and educators across the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (HU CFAR) to advance understanding and treatment of HIV and hepatitis infections. World wide projections have indicated that Viral hepatitis deaths have projected to exceed TB, HIV, malaria.
Inter-CFAR Working Groups
Inter-CFAR Antiretrovirals for Prevention Working Group (AFP)
One of the missions of the CFAR Program is to foster CFAR–CFAR collaborations.
Drs Kenneth Mayer (HU CFAR) and Patrick Sullivan (Emory CFAR) convene the Inter-CFAR Antiretrovirals for Prevention Working Group (AFP) (click here for more information).
Inter-CFAR Collaboration
on HIV Research in Women Working Group
The Inter-CFAR Collaboration on HIV Research in Women is a network of CFAR investigators dedicated to promoting cutting-edge science in HIV research and women.
Drs Kate Powis (HU CFAR) and Maria Alcaide (Miami CFAR) convene the Inter-CFAR Collaboration on HIV Research in Women (click here for more information).
Programs
Program in Placental and HIV
The Program in Placental and HIV aims to convene Boston-regional group of scientists engaged in placental research along with a national/international group of placental scientists and host a symposium focused on placental science among women living with HIV. The program also aims to mentor young investigators within the Harvard University system interested in placental science and define a mechanism for pilot funding to launch these junior investigators, and develop a grant proposal for a collaborative placental research effort involving both senior and junior scientist members of the program.
Program in HIV Vaccines
The Program in HIV Vaccines provides a forum for interaction around basic, preclinical, and clinical research in HIV vaccines across Harvard and affiliated hospitals and institutions. The two major goals of the program are to engage and develop Early Career Investigators with an interest in HIV vaccine research, and maintain a forum for CFAR investigators to strategically promote integrated and efficient collaboration on preventive and therapeutic HIV vaccine related research.
Program in HIV Eradication
The Program in HIV Eradication develops innovative multidisciplinary projects aimed at addressing basic science and translational questions regarding HIV-1 eradication and cure research.
Program in Health Economics and Modeling
The goals of the Program in Health Economics and Modeling are to support and facilitate the expansion of simulation modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis within the HU CFAR, as well as with other CFARs; to mentor and develop Early Stage Investigators in health economics and modeling, participate in Research-in-Progress meetings across the CFAR, as well as serve as mentors and collaborators to conduct cost-effectiveness analyses.
Program in Adolescence and HIV
The Program in Adolescence and HIV has three primary aims, including 1) engagement by promoting participation in adolescent-focused HIV prevention and care research from a broad community of investigators and public health organizations, 2) methodologic support by developing a novel adolescent HIV research “tool kit,” drawing on clinical and methodologic research expertise of HU CFAR investigators and 3) mentorship and research catalyst by creating new cross-disciplinary collaborations and mentorship relationships to support adolescent HIV-focused research projects.
Community Engaged and Research Program
CERP is grounded in a commitment to community collaboration, our program harnesses the collective expertise of community partners, healthcare professionals, and researchers to drive innovation and improve health. We strive to develop comprehensive solutions that address the multifaceted challenges of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care. Join us in our mission to make a difference.