Scientific Administrative Core

Harvard University D/B/A Harvard School Of Public Health, Boston MA

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY The Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) RISE [Research on Immune Aging, Sexual and Reproductive Health: Elucidating relationships in HIV] Program is a multi-part study which utilizes a single cohesive, multidisciplinary protocol and existing infrastructure to support two scientifically distinct yet interlinked Research Projects to advance insights into the interplay between HIV, chronic stress, aging, and reproductive health. The Scientific Administrative Core (SAC) of PHACS RISE will be led by the Multiple Principal Investigator (mPI) team, Drs. Paige Williams, Jennifer Jao, and Lynn Yee, who will strategically manage and coordinate all Research Project activities. Building on two decades of successful PHACS network research, the SAC will leverage the collective investigative expertise, infrastructure, and participant research data and specimens from historical protocols [Adolescent Master Protocol (AMP) Up Series, Surveillance Monitoring for ART Toxicities (SMARTT), and Trajectories of Emotional Regulation and Behavior Outcomes and Related Brain Regions And Intrinsic Networks (TERBO BRAIN)] and support clinical sites to prospectively enroll key study populations of interest. The SAC will provide scientific direction and administrative support for: a Scientific Leadership Committee (SLC) comprised of the mPIs, Research Project Leads, Working Group Co-Chairs, clinical site and community representatives, and representatives from partner NIH institutes; an Executive Committee (EC) which will facilitate collaboration and decision making with NICHD Program Officers; and a Mentoring and Research Productivity Committee (MRPC), which will create a strong mentoring network to provide leadership opportunities and training to early-stage investigators as well as oversee scientific dissemination via the Publications Sub-committee. Through these 3 committees, the SAC will provide scientific and administrative oversight of the PHACS Working Groups, effectively monitor progress with respect to milestones of the Research Projects, coordinate communication and integration of research activities across all parties including clinical sites, and establish and maintain collaborations with outside investigators and other research networks. Administrative support for the SAC will be based at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), which will allow close coordination with the Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) also based at HSPH. The organizational and leadership structure of the SAC is designed to provide a streamlined structure to maximize efficiency in the implementation of the scientific agenda, promoting excellence in the science conducted by PHACS RISE, and accountability in the conduct of research.