Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions
(click your question below)

1. What does the HIV Center do?
2. Does the HIV Center provide services or clinical treatment to individuals?
3. How can I find out more about HIV/AIDS?
4. How does the HIV Center work with the community?
5. Where is the HIV Center located?
6. How can I contact the HIV Center?
7. How can I find out about employment at the HIV Center?
8. What research is currently being conducted at the HIV Center?
9. How is the HIV Center organized?
10. Who are the current researchers at the HIV Center?
11. What publications have been produced by HIV Center researchers?
12. What events are upcoming at the HIV Center?
13. How can I become involved with the HIV Center?
14. What protections are in place for HIV Center studies?
15. How can I order an HIV Center video?
16. How can I provide feedback about this Website?

Answers

1. What does the HIV Center do?
   The HIV Center conducts research studies about the behavioral causes and consequences of HIV infection and AIDS. The research of the HIV Center is interdisciplinary, drawing on fields as diverse as psychology, psychiatry, public health, anthropology, sociology, and social work, and is strengthened by numerous local, national, and international alliances with other research institutions, community-based organizations, hospitals, and mental-health organizations. Since its founding in 1987, the HIV Center has been supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health and numerous other public and private funders. Click for further information about the general work of the HIV Center. <top>
2. Does the HIV Center provide services or clinical treatment to individuals?
   The HIV Center does not provide clinical services or treatments to individuals. Participation in our studies is designed to advance knowledge about HIV/AIDS and not to benefit individual participants (although some do experience benefits from their participation). If you think that you may be in need of services or clinical treatment related to HIV/AIDS, you should speak to a qualified health care practitioner. <top>
3. How can I find out more about HIV/AIDS?
   You can find weblinks to dozens of HIV-related agencies and organizations based in New York City and State, as well as nationally and internationally, by accessing our Community Internet Links page. <top>
4. How does the HIV Center work with the community?
   Active engagement with HIV-infected and –affected communities and individuals is a central commitment of the research of the HIV Center. Community partners have long been crucial participants in the development and implementation of HIV Center research studies. Similarly, HIV Center investigators provide their professional expertise to a wide range of community-based organizations and agencies. The HIV Center also offers educational opportunities to the community, including the MOSAIC program and our weekly HIV Center Rounds. The work of the HIV Center is linked to the wider community through the Community Collaboration Core. <top>
5. Where is the HIV Center located?
   Our mailing address is New York State Psychiatric Institute at 1051 Riverside Drive – Unit 15, New York, NY 10032. The HIV Center's researchers are located on the third floor of the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health at 722 W 168th St at Haven Avenue in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in the Columbia University Medical Center. It is most easily accessed via mass transit (especially the A, C, 1, and 9 lines on the New York City subway lines and the M4 and M5 MTA buses). Limited paid parking facilities are also available in the area. If you have an appointment at the HIV Center, you should always call or e-mail ahead to find the exact address of the meeting. <top>
6. How can I contact the HIV Center?
   Mail can be directed to the HIV Center via the New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive – Unit 15, New York, NY 10032. During regular work hours, you can reach the administrative offices of the HIV Center at 212-543-5969. Click to send an e-mail to the HIV Center. <top>
7. How can I find out about employment at the HIV Center?
   Click for information about employment at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Select Job Opportunities from the menu at the left.
   
   Click here information about employment at Columbia University. <top>
8. What research is currently being conducted at the HIV Center?
   The HIV Center's research agenda focuses on four specific areas: 1) developing gender-specific interventions; 2) assessing the development of sexuality and gender; 3) analyzing sexual risk among diverse populations; and 4) integrating sexual risk interventions with coping and adaptation to HIV disease. Click here for a list of specific current research studies. <top>
9. How is the HIV Center organized?
   The work of the HIV Center is conducted through individual research studies headed by leading investigators. Crucial infrastructure is provided by seven Cores that provide in-house support and consultation in such areas as: interdisciplinary research methods; statistics, data, and epidemiology; community collaboration; research capacity development; ethics, policy, and human rights; and internationally oriented research. Additional support is provided through Working Groups focusing on, respectively, racial/ethnic minorities, children and adolescents, and biomedical studies. Click here to learn more about the organization of the HIV Center. <top>
10. Who are the current researchers at the HIV Center?
    The HIV Center serves as the hub of a wide network of research activities and community outreach. In all more than 100 researchers, clinicians, and support staff participate in the work of the Center. Click here for a listing of current researchers and other staff. <top>
11. What publications have been produced by HIV Center researchers?
    HIV Center researchers have made substantial contributions to the scholarly and public health literature on HIV/AIDS. Click to view a listing of hundreds of journal articles, book chapters, and other scholarly publications. <top>
12. What events are upcoming at the HIV Center?
    The HIV Center hosts speakers about research topics most Thursday mornings, except during summer and holiday breaks. These "HIV Center Rounds" are open to the public and free of charge, and are held at the New York State Psychiatric Institute (1051 Riverside Drive). Click to see the latest schedule of Grand Rounds speakers. <top>
13. How can I become involved with the HIV Center?
    The HIV Center actively seeks new partnerships and collaborations with researchers from multiple disciplines, impacted communities throughout the world, and interested individuals. Among the ways to become connected with the work of the HIV Center are through our Postdoctoral Fellowship in Behavioral Sciences in HIV Infection, our weekly seminars called HIV Center Rounds, our award-winning video series, our E-Newsletter and this Website. Depending upon their circumstances, some people may also be eligible to participate in HIV Center research projects. Click to find out more about specific research projects. <top>
14. What protections are in place for HIV Center studies?
    Research conducted at the HIV Center meets the highest standards for ethical conduct, and protections are ensured by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the New York State Psychiatric Institute. <top>
15. How can I order an HIV Center video?
    Click to find ordering information about the HIV Center's award-winning series of videos about HIV/AIDS. <top>
16. How can I provide feedback about this Website?
    You can send your comments directly to our  if you have suggestions or need further assistance. <top>