Component for Institution # 269291

SUMMARY The current HIV-1 pandemic is one where people living with HIV (PWH) have had well-suppressed infection with therapy for prolonged periods of time. This has guided research towards focusing on (i) comorbidities (aging, cardiovascular, cancer, metabolic, and immune activation), (ii) side effects of ART, (iii) neurocognitive and behavioral disorders (occurs approximately 40% of time), (iv) socioeconomic inequalities, stigma and discrimination, sexual and gender disparities, interpersonal relations, and neuropsychological problems including depression across the PWH community, and (v) new therapeutics and cure strategies. Research advances in these diverse areas require an interdisciplinary approach with participation of investigators in basic, behavioral, and clinical research. Toward this end, the overall aim of the Developmental Research and Mentorship Core (DRMC) is to provide support for innovative pilot projects in neuroHIV and. HIV research addressing emerging scientific priorities and mentorship of the next generation of HIV researchers. The DRMC will provide infrastructure and support for pilot investigations, progress evaluation, guidance, and mentorship. This Core application describes the progress during the current funding period, experience of the Core Directors, the process to recruit and review innovative project applications, and the role the Core will play in mentorship of clinical and basic science faculty and trainees at various levels. In the last five years (years 6-10), 19 (5 from cost share) awards were given mostly to junior investigators. Awardees of pilot monies have been extremely successful with 31 published manuscripts and 9 grants awarded from research related to the recent pilot grants. Over the next 5-year period, the DRMC will fund six pilot applications per year. Two will be funded by the. DRMC and four from institutional support to provide a more optimal pilot project program and to expand our efforts to enhance the recruitment and development of underrepresented minority (URM) research investigators. With regards to mentorship, the short-term goal is to assist junior, more senior faculty new to HIV, and URM faculty in developing a successful proposal for pilot study funds. The long-term goal will be to provide training and mentorship to awardees that will foster and strengthen their careers in neuroHIV into the future. The DRMC will provide an organization and structure that will effectively integrate new project development, funding of preliminary research, mentorship and establishing new interdisciplinary collaborations. The DRMC will work closely with the Central Adminstrative and Management Core (CAMC) and scientific cores to promote high research priorities and overarching objectives of the CNHC. It is anticipated that this core will play a pivotal role in enhancing and ensuring the success of neuroHIV investigators, expand outreach and support of URM, and advance neuroHIV research and execution of the CNHC mission.