bio-behavioral Core
The Bio-Behavioral Core provides a comprehensive approach that integrates biomedical, behavioral and social science, and clinical perspectives in an HIV prevention and treatment agenda, using Syndemics Theory as a guiding framework for advancing HIV Center bio-behavioral research. The bio-behavioral core seeks to:
To stimulate high-impact bio-behavioral research on emerging priority topics at the interface of biomedical and behavioral science by
Building capacity of behavioral and social science researchers to understand and meet the challenges posed by new biomedical advances, e.g., broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, long-acting injectable treatment and prevention, and vaccine and cure research; and
Prioritizing and ensuring consideration of behavioral and social determinants in the development of new biomedical strategies for HIV prevention and care, including the impact of mental health, substance use, and other health and social disparities on uptake, adherence, and sustained use
To provide expertise on selection of biological measures, sample collection and assay, and interpretation of resulting data that will
Increase Center investigators’ use of biomarkers of HIV-relevant behaviors (e.g., adherence, sexual risk behavior) to complement behavioral measures in determinants and intervention research;
Consider new biomarkers of HIV disease and its comorbidities (e.g., immune activation, inflammation, the microbiome) and their relationship to mental health and other behavioral outcomes; and
Draw on the expertise of Core biomedical and behavioral science Members as well as our partners at the CUMC and Einstein CTSAs and the ERC-CUNY CFAR.
To prioritize clinical perspectives through partnerships with HIV and non-HIV care providers that will
Ensure integration of provider and patient research priorities into HIV Center research; and
Provide clinical partners – both HIV and non-HIV – with full access to HIV Center expertise and resources, thus maximizing the responsiveness of research to “real-time” EtE challenges in new prevention and treatment studies.
CORE MEMBERSHIP:
Core Director:
Core Co-Director:
Core Investigators:
Elaine Abrams, MD
Iván Balán, PhD
Francine Cournos, MD
Charles Gonzalez, MD
Betsy Herold, MD
Joanne Mantell, PhD
Karen McKinnon, MA
Robert Remien, PhD
Magdalena Sobieszczyk, MD
Core Affiliates:
Peter Anderson, PharmD
Salim Abdool Karim, MBChB, PhD
Catherine Orrell, MBChB, PhD
Kathryn Anastos, MD
Donna Futterman, MD
Warren Ng, MD
Benjamin Tsoi, MD
