Developmental Core

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section Developmental The Developmental Core supports the goals of the Miami CFAR through the following aims: 1. Maintain a program for solicitation, peer review and oversight of pilot grants that promotes the research of basic, clinical, and junior researchers to facilitate their path to successful extramural grants. Support will be targeted to: a) junior investigators; b) investigators new to HIV/AIDS research; c) translational research that fosters collaboration between basic and clinical researchers, including emerging opportunities; and d) research activities of newly recruited UM faculty working in HIV. 2. Maintain a vibrant and intensive mentoring program, the Mentoring Academy, that guides junior faculty, fellows, senior investigators and postdocs, to successful independent careers. The Developmental Core provides pilot funding and mentoring for investigators in order to obtain data to make them more competitive for future independent funding in the field of HIV/AIDS from the NIH. The Core encourages collaborations within the University of Miami and the other institutions in Florida. As the only CFAR in Florida, Miami is able to offer funding in research opportunities to early-stage investigators (ESI) at Florida institutions (Florida International University, University of Florida, Scripps) with a UM mentor. The Mentoring Academy provides the CFAR with a program that trains mentors and mentees, guides ESI in grant writing in an effort to outline a path to independent funding, and career development. The Mentoring Academy will focus on developing the next generation of leaders for the CFAR. Funded ESI have been appointed as Associate Directors to further establish their positions at the UM and in the CFAR. The Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) supplements have formalized relationships between the Developmental Core, community partners, and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). The Core leadership, Director Gwen Scott, MD, and Co-Director, Mario Stevenson, PhD, have excellent credentials in NIH funding and reputation as quality directors at the UM Miller School of Medicine (MSOM). The Core’s Co-Director of the Mentoring Academy, Adam Carrico, PhD, and Co-Leaders, Maria Alcaide, MD, and Enrique Mesri, PhD bring experience in behavioral, clinical, basic and translational research. The Core will continue to encourage researchers and high-risk populations in the community in an effort to address and eliminate the health disparities that exist in South Florida. The Developmental Core engages with the Administrative, Clinical Sciences, Laboratory Sciences, Bio- Behavioral and Community Engagement Cores and the HIV and Aging Scientific Working Group in support of the overall CFAR mission to provide awards that result in collaborations, publications, and successful major grants in HIV/AIDS to end the HIV epidemic.