Administrative Core

This Research Program Project, titled Optimal T-cell support for HIV neutralizing antibody induction to fusion peptide-inclusive regimens (Opti-FliP), will use samples from ongoing human cohort studies and synergistic non-human primate studies to ask how follicular and cytotoxic T cells, whether CD4+ or CD8+, can best support anti-FP and other nAb responses that protect against HIV. The Program has a strong multidisciplinary and international character, established by a team of expert PIs who are longstanding collaborators and have access to unique human cohorts and novel approaches to vaccination of non-human primates. Such diversity, including geographic diversity, requires a strong administrative structure to promote synergy between the programmatic elements by facilitating regular, structured communication. This Administrative Core will provide overall organizational structure for the Program Project, perform administrative functions, interface with NIH/NIAID staff, foster cooperation between projects and cores, encourage criticism and advice from its scientists and ESAB, promote fiscal responsibility, and assure the continued excellence of the Project and its ability to address the Specific Aims. The Administrative Core will be based at UC Davis and directed by the Program Project’s PI, Dr. Hartigan- O’Connor. Dr. Hartigan-O’Connor has a long history of collaboration with the Project PIs, Drs. Brander and Sparger, having collaborated with both in the context of a previous program-project grant focused on HIV rebound. In the context of that award Dr. Hartigan-O’Connor directed an administrative core at UC Davis that engaged many of the same personnel and performed similar functions. He is also MPI of the prior and current large U42 grants funding the Nonhuman Primate Testing Center for the NIH’s Somatic Cell Genome Editing Consortium. Thus, Dr. Hartigan-O’Connor has abundant experience in management of large collaborative projects such as this. The Core’s organization is supplemented by administrators, specialists, the External Scientific Advisory Board, and an Internal Steering Committee. The specific aims of the Administrative Core are: 1. Provide an organizational and programmatic structure to promote collaborative scientific excellence. This aim includes provision of sufficient administrative structure to ensure that communications and data sharing occur regularly, and that shared resources are leveraged for the good of Program goals. 2. Provide organizational and financial oversight and future planning, establish decision-making processes, set priorities, and resolve disputes. The Administrative Core provides both an Internal Steering Committee and External Scientific Advisory Board (ESAB) to assist the Director in this work. 3. Ensure efficient data, information, and resource sharing.