UNC Center for AIDS Research Core E Clinical Pharmacology/Analytical Chemistry

The overarching goal of the Clinical Pharmacology and Analytical Chemistry (CPAC) Core is to facilitate the development of safe, effective strategies for HIV prevention, treatment and cure. To achieve this goal, the CPAC Core provides pharmacology and bioanalytical expertise to advance research within and beyond the UNC CFAR through the following specific aims: (1) provide services to expedite translation of HIV research into therapeutic strategies, (2) introduce new services to respond to evolving HIV research needs, (3) interact within and beyond the UNC CFAR to enhance HIV research collaborations, (4) support scientific working groups, research interest groups, early stage investigators, and investigators new to HIV to develop the next generation of scientific leadership, (5) prioritize dissemination/outreach, strategic planning, and evaluation to maximize impact, and (6) follow standardized policies and procedures to promote harmonious intra-CFAR interaction. The CPAC Core executes these aims by proactively engaging investigators to identify and deliver services essential for HIV pharmacology research. The Core contributes to the design, management, analysis, and publication of HIV research by assisting with hypothesis framing, study design, and grant/proposal development, by facilitating multidisciplinary and translational approaches to clinical study design and conduct, and by selecting or generating optimal bioanalytical or pharmacometric methods, with subsequent provision of analyses, in both preclinical and clinical settings. New services are developed to respond to the evolving needs of the HIV research community working within priority research areas as well as tailored to individual investigator requests. Early stage investigators and investigators new to HIV research receive the highest priority for Core services. Strong institutional support from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy allows the Core to take full advantage of existing infrastructure and resources, including contacts with faculty renowned for their expertise in specialized fields of pharmacology. The Core Co-Directors, Drs. Angela Kashuba and Mackenzie Cottrell, are responsible for Core management and strategic planning, in consultation with the Core’s Internal and External Advisory Boards, as well as through surveys of the CFAR membership and discussions at CFAR retreats.