The CFAR Mentored Scientist Award in HIV/AIDS is currently being offered during the Spring 2024 UCSF Resource Allocation Program (RAP) Cycle, opens January 29, 2024 -
Deadline: Monday. MARCH 4, 2024 (2:00 pm PST)
The CFAR Mentored Scientist Award (our primary award program) is a mentoring and training grant targeted toward early stage (either at a senior stage of clinical or postdoctoral training or junior faculty) investigators at UCSF or affiliated partner institutes in the conduct of an HIV research project. These awards are designed to acquire preliminary data and research skills to prepare investigators for a future grant effort. Applicants for this award must indicate a faculty research mentor(s) who will commit to guiding the applicant throughout the duration of the proposed project.
Designation of Mentor
All Mentored award applications from individuals at the Assistant Professor level or below require an HIV research mentor. Mentors can, but are not required to, have supervisory authority over the applicant. CFAR requires your research mentor’s support to advise and guide the research portion of your application before submitting it to RAP.
Of high interest to CFAR are investigations ranging from basic pathogenesis to clinical outcomes in the research areas of HIV/aging and inflammation, latency, cure, vaccines, co-infections, HIV in women, implementation science, and research related to health disparities in HIV-infected and HIV-impacted Bay Area populations. Projects must be within NIH’s HIV/AIDS research high or medium priority areas. Projects in closely related areas (e.g. TB, HCV, drug use, etc.) must be clearly linked to HIV in order to be eligible for CFAR funding.
The award amount is $50,000 in direct costs for one year.
For more detailed information about this RFA, please see the RAP Portal.
To see examples of previously funded projects, see the list below.
Mentored Science Awardees
116 Awards
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CAPTURE Study: Causes and Predictors of post-Tuberculosis Restrictive lung disease in people with and without HIV in Uganda
CAPTURE Study: Causes and Predictors of post-Tuberculosis Restrictive lung disease in people with and without HIV in Uganda
Abstract
Post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD), a heterogeneous group of abnormalities including obstructive (airway), restrictive (fibrotic), pleural, and pulmonary vascular diseases, occurs in approximately 50% of people with cured tuberculosis (TB) and is a source of significant morbidity. HIV is a known risk factor for TB and for more severe disease, but its impact on PTLD is unclear.
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Early Structural Cardiovascular Disease and HIV in East Africa
Early Structural Cardiovascular Disease and HIV in East Africa
Abstract
Persons living with HIV (PLWH) face an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) compared with the general population. However, much of this data is derived from high-income populations. Emerging data from parts of sub-Saharan Africa indicate challenge this risk outcome paradigm. Although HIV is known to be associated with myocardial inflammation and fibrosis in both high- and low-income settings including sub-Saharan Africa, HIV’s effect on vascular disease appears to differ between these geographies.
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Characterizing delivery preferences and opportunities for implementing long-acting injectable cabotegravir and event-driven PrEP for transgender women in So Paulo, Brazil
Characterizing delivery preferences and opportunities for implementing long-acting injectable cabotegravir and event-driven PrEP for transgender women in So Paulo, Brazil
Abstract
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Identifying Reasons for Late-Diagnosis of HIV: An Academic-Community Partnership to Improve Health Outcomes
Identifying Reasons for Late-Diagnosis of HIV: An Academic-Community Partnership to Improve Health Outcomes
Abstract
In the United States, nearly a third of those diagnosed with HIV were diagnosed late, meaning that they were diagnosed with AIDS at the same time as or within one year of their HIV diagnosis. Late HIV diagnosis is associated with poor treatment outcomes and, in turn, less viral suppression, greater transmission of HIV to those who are not infected, and increased HIV-related morbidity and mortality. The United States’ goal of reducing HIV in part by increasing peoples’ awareness of their HIV status cannot be achieved without addressing late diagnosis.
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Social networks and their role in early initiation of antenatal care by HIV serostatus in Uganda
Social networks and their role in early initiation of antenatal care by HIV serostatus in Uganda
Abstract
Maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity are persistently high in Uganda where there is also a generalized HIV epidemic. Ensuring early and appropriate antenatal care (ANC) allows for screening, treatment, and prevention of complications, while offering education and support to ensure healthy pregnancies and maternal and fetal outcomes. Few Ugandan women initiate antenatal care in the first trimester, as recommended. Timing of antenatal care initiation may vary by serostatus but there is little research on this.
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Engagement in HIV prevention and preferences for long-acting injectable cabotegravir delivery in fishing communities along Lake Victoria, Kenya
Engagement in HIV prevention and preferences for long-acting injectable cabotegravir delivery in fishing communities along Lake Victoria, Kenya
Abstract
Men in occupations that require high mobility, such as fishing, are particularly vulnerable to lapses in HIV prevention engagement. Kenya has been a leader in scaling up biomedical HIV prevention, including oral PrEP. However, in preliminary data from the Owete study, we found that uptake of HIV prevention, including daily oral PrEP, is low (3.8%) despite availability in government health facilities at no cost.
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Deep analysis of SARS-CoV-2-specific serological and T cell responses in people living with HIV
Deep analysis of SARS-CoV-2-specific serological and T cell responses in people living with HIV
Abstract
Immunocompromised individuals, including people living with HIV (PLWH), are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 as compared to immunocompetent individuals. It remains unclear whether vaccines and previous infection stimulate equivalent immune defenses in PLWH, although HIV+ individuals have a higher rate of breakthrough infection than HIV- individuals post-vaccination. Recent studies have demonstrated that the quality and perhaps quantity of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies elicited by mRNA vaccines are diminished in ART-suppressed people living with HIV as compared to uninfected individuals.
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Hyperlipidemia and Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among Persons Living with HIV in East Africa
Hyperlipidemia and Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among Persons Living with HIV in East Africa
Abstract
Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD), and this excess risk persists despite viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART). In the past 20 years, the global burden of CVD in PLWH has tripled, accounting for significant disease burden. Dyslipidemia is one mechanism by which HIV infection is associated with atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD), partly due to side effects of ART.
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Modulating Interleukin-2-Inducible T-cell Kinase (ITK) to Target HIV Persistence
Modulating Interleukin-2-Inducible T-cell Kinase (ITK) to Target HIV Persistence
Abstract
Inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) belongs to the Tec family of tyrosine kinases, and is expressed in mast cells and T lymphocytes. ITK functions downstream of the T-cell receptor (TCR) and regulates T-cell development, activation and differentiation. The role of ITK signaling in HIV persistence is yet unknown. In this proposal we aim to determine the impact of ITK on?HIV latency reversal and infected cell proliferation in primary CD4+?T cells and cell lines. In addition, we propose to investigate mechanisms regulating establishment of latency by regulating activation status of CD4+T cells.
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Systematic testing for HIV and tuberculosis among community members attending social drinking venues in Lusaka, Zambia
Systematic testing for HIV and tuberculosis among community members attending social drinking venues in Lusaka, Zambia
Abstract
There is a high prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use (UAU) in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among persons living with HIV (PWH). Persons with UAU are at greater risk of HIV acquisition, while PWH with UAU are more likely to not know their HIV status, not be engaged in care, and experience poor outcomes. UAU also portends to a substantially higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease, regardless of HIV status.