Cores

1. Provide scientific leadership dedicated to support HIV/AIDS research and define scientific priorities in alignment with the NIH, institutional and geographic needs. The Miami CFAR’s leadership, strong institutional support, and the Funded Research Base (FRB) play key roles in shaping the CFAR’s scientific direction. The Cores, SIGs, and SWG have a diverse bandwidth of knowledge to pursue the mission of the Miami CFAR. The Internal and External Advisory Committees, the needs assessment, and annual strategic planning offer opportunities to appraise and improve the Miami CFAR.

2. Leverage Institutional resources and opportunities by collaborating with CHARM, SCC, CTSI, HEIDI and UM Departments. New NIH awards to MSOM in our current funding cycle have led to the establishment of the Center for HIV and Research in Mental Health (CHARM), NCI designation of the Sylvester Cancer Center (SCC), and renewal of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), and have opened up additional resources for mentoring, pilot grant program, and faculty recruitment. The Florida State funded HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Institute (HEIDI) bolsters pilot funding and HIV/AIDS research.

3. Catalyze synergies between Miami CFAR Core, Scientific Working Group and Scientific Interest Groups to collaborate with national research networks, industry, Collaborations and partnerships within and outside UM have reinforced the Miami CFAR’s commitment to the importance of cooperation in research and education.

4. Grow the next generation of leaders in HIV/AIDS research through mentoring, career development and funding support. The Mentoring Academy at the Miami CFAR implements mentoring tools with which to promote academic growth of minority and early-stage investigators (ESI). Through the pilot award program, researchers with novel concepts are linked with mentors who are more experienced and can guide the junior investigators. The Mentoring Academy is an important element of CFAR’s succession planning.

5. Nurture the partnership with the Florida Department of Health for research implementation, community engagement and increase the reach of the CFAR towards ending the HIV epidemic (EHE). Strong partnerships with State Legislators, Community and State health agencies and NIH support through administrative supplements, have led the Miami CFAR to become an integral partner of the State in its EHE efforts to reduce HIV transmission, particularly in the Latinx and African American populations. These partnerships play a vital role in shaping FDOH policies, and in community outreach, building on our efforts in community engagement.

Administrative Core – A

• Director: Savita Pahwa, M.D.
• Co-Director: Mario Stevenson, Ph.D.

Developmental Core – B

• Director: Mario Stevenson, Ph.D.
• Co-Director: Claudia Martinez, M.D.
• Co-Director: Emmanuel Thomas, M.D., Ph.D.

Clinical Sciences Core – C

• Director: Maria Alcaide, M.D.
• Co-Director: Charles Mitchell, M.D.
• Associate Director: Susanne Doblecki-Lewis, M.D.

Laboratory Sciences Core – D

• Director: Savita Pahwa, M.D.
• Co-Director: Sion Williams, Ph.D.
• Co-Director: Suresh Pallikkuth, Ph.D
• Associate Director: Lesley de Armas, Ph.D

Population Engagement Core - E

• Director: Allan E. Rodriguez, M.D.
• Co-Director: Michael A. Kolber, M.D., Ph.D.
• Co-Director: Hansel Tookes, M.D., MPH
• Associate Director: Sonjia Kenya, EdD, M.S., M.A.