Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research Launched at The AIDS Institute
July 5, 2011
The AIDS Institute (TAI) announces the expansion of a new group created to enable interagency HIV research in Florida.
National Policy Office - Washington, DC: 202-835-8373
Program and Administrative Office - Tampa, FL: 813-258-5929
For Immediate Release: 7.5.11
Media Contact: Michael Ruppal, 813-258-5929, MRuppal@theaidsinstitute.org
The Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research
Launched at The AIDS Institute
Tampa, FL -The AIDS Institute (TAI) announces the expansion of a new group created to enable interagency HIV research in Florida. The Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research (FCHAR) held its inaugural meeting in Orlando on February 24, 2011. The 65 participants from across the state formed the core of a research group that has grown to include 103 HIV researchers in 16 research organizations which include seven universities, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, county health departments, and the private sector.
"We believe there is no paradigm or precedent for an HIV-related research group like FCHAR," said Jeffrey Beal, M.D., Medical Director of the FDOH, Bureau of HIV/AIDS, and one of the prime movers of the initiative. "We have successfully coalesced around common interests, challenges, and solutions to expand inter-institutional collaboration and attract new research resources to the state for the benefit of at-risk populations and our patients." Primary and secondary HIV prevention challenges and patient outcomes are being addressed through behavioral studies, clinical trials, and basic science research, he explained.
Consortium researchers have contributed findings of public health significance to the body of knowledge through recently completed and ongoing HIV/AIDS studies. Collectively, consortium members account for more than 400 HIV-related studies of practical and scientific interest, as reflected in a research inventory compiled and distributed by the group.
The FCHAR seeks to promote studies among partners that will lead to decreased HIV incidence and improved health and survival for patients. "These are ambitious but achievable goals," said Margaret Fischl, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Director, AIDS Clinical Research Unit at the University of Miami. As another co-founder of the group, she added, "In combining the talents and unique experience of expert scientists in Florida the FCHAR could eventually help bring us closer to a vaccine and a cure."
In the past four months, FCHAR has formed subcommittees charged with addressing specific HIV research issues. Late in June, FCHAR membership agreed that The AIDS Institute is to be the permanent home of the Consortium. "We then began implementation of a key recommendation common to the Subcommittees with the design of an HIV researchers survey," said Spencer Lieb, acting Coordinator of the Consortium and Senior Epidemiologist with the FDOH, Bureau of HIV/AIDS. "The survey will capture data on populations that are hard to reach and enroll in studies, and data on groups from whom biologic specimens are hard to obtain," Lieb added. Lessons learned by researchers who have had recruitment or specimen-collection successes will be shared with those who currently experience difficulties.
"In this economic environment, it makes sense for the research community to work together toward a common goal and to share data, resources and talent within Florida," said Michael Ruppal, Executive Director of The AIDS Institute. "The AIDS Institute is proud to take this leadership role and join forces with this amazing group of researchers who are committed to ensuring that Florida continues to be on the cutting edge of HIV research."
Researchers interested in joining the Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research and those wanting more information about the group can contact Michael Ruppal, Executive Director of the AIDS Institute, and the FCHAR team at FCHAR@TheAIDSInstitute.org.
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