International Core

Core I: International Core ABSTRACT The CFAR International Core (Core I) mission is developing locally-relevant HIV/AIDS research and research capacity in Botswana, a country in southern Africa with one of the world’s highest rates of HIV infection. Penn has deep ties to Botswana, where an excellent infrastructure and strong commitment to promoting HIV-related research and research capacity have resulted in impactful work over the past two decades. The Core’s missions are to nucleate new collaborations among Penn and Botswana-based investigators and provide infrastructure for studies implemented in Botswana that will advance high priority research relevant to the country, and to train the next generation of US- and Botswana-based HIV/AIDS investigators. The Core’s focus remains cutting edge by maintaining close relationships and conducting strategic planning with Botswana-based stakeholders including the University of Botswana (UB) & Ministry of Health (MOH) and working closely with other CFAR cores for synergy. Core I is led by Drs. Robert Gross, Director (based at Penn) and Merrian Brooks, Co- Director (based in Botswana), along with Core Investigators Drs. Billy Tsima (at UB) and Andrew Steenhoff (at CHOP). Operations are facilitated by Drs. Brooks & Tsima being based in Botswana, English being an official language, and leveraging resources of the institutionally-funded Botswana-UPenn Partnership. Core I services include (1) consulting on feasibility and local appeal of research ideas targeting issues and populations in Botswana; (2) engaging key stakeholders and local collaborators to ensure optimal design and efficient implementation of projects; (3) support for protocols including assistance with IRB submissions and translation of materials into the local language (Setswana) to allow for full local participation; (4) hiring, training and supervising local research staff; (5) specimen processing and laboratory analyses or shipping; and (6) secure data management. Core training activities include mentoring of junior investigators from Penn and Botswana who are developing HIV-related research in Botswana; partnering with new-to-HIV and/or new-to- Botswana established investigators; sponsoring seminars at UB and at Penn to disseminate findings & engage investigators; teaching epidemiology & biostatistics skills to aspiring researchers from the US and Botswana; laboratory training including hands-on experimental work at Core in-country laboratories. In the current reporting period, Core I enabled high priority research on HIV acquisition & treatment; the intersection of severe mental illness and HIV; HIV in children and adolescents; cervical cancer; and nicotine addiction. Looking ahead, Core I will continue support across all current research domains, with planned innovations including a focus on wellbeing in areas of smoking cessation, physical and cognitive rehabilitation, and a consultation service (Sedibeng) for local HIV investigators.