- Providing scientific leadership and direction for UAB AIDS-related international projects and programs. The IC works to identify gaps and opportunities in UAB AIDS-related programs in international settings including faculty and professionally trained staff. The core works with other groups at UAB doing international work to identify synergistic and strategic opportunities, including faculty and staff recruitments. The core also facilitates linkages and collaborations among investigators interested in establishing new or enhancing ongoing international AIDS-related research activities.
- Providing technical assistance, training, and professional staff development through mentoring programs to ensure the success of CFAR-supported international research programs. Education and training programs are coordinated with existing CFAR cores whenever possible. These coordinated programs include research ethics training, good clinical practices (GCP) and quality assurance, research coordination, and host country regulatory capacity and support using expertise from the CFAR Clinical Core. The UAB Biostatistics core is utilized for programs that include data management and analysis. Training in the proper development and analysis of clinical data is also provided. Guidance for young investigators is provided for the preparation of developmental proposals to fund pilot projects in international HIV research through the CFAR Developmental Core. Awardees of CFAR developmental grants participate in a mentoring program upon receipt of the award.
- Coordinating training experiences for students, residents, and fellows interested in working on IC supported programs and projects. The core seeks to recruit students, residents, and fellows interested in international work. Core leadership advises recruits on the appropriate contacts given their research interest and helps coordinate assignments for ongoing research projects. The core also works to develop fellowship programs for domestically trained MD’s graduate and post graduate students that provide field experience with HIV research projects (HIVCorps); many of these are coordinated with NIH/Fogarty supported programs (Fogarty-Ellison Fellowship Program through CIDRZ).
- Provides logistic support to students, fellows, faculty and international research projects. The core staff will assist researchers with travel, secure visas, assure proper pre-travel medical care, and provide appropriate security briefings as needed. Core staff also facilitates in country housing and transportation as needed. Assistance with the procurement of supplies, equipment and shipments bi-directionally as needed is also provided.