Core B: Developmental

Director:  Gwendolyn Scott, M.D.

Dr. Scott is a Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease and Immunology.   Since 1982 Dr. Scott has conducted research into the natural history and pathogenesis of HIV infection in children and perinatal transmission of HIV. She has extensive experience in the conduct of clinical trials in HIV infected pregnant women and their infants as well as children with HIV.  She is recognized for her work in the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV.  She is the Principal Investigator (P.I.) of the NIH funded International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) Group at the University of Miami as well as the P.I. for the Pediatric AIDS Cohort Studies funded through NIH NICHD. 

Co-Director:  Gail Shor-Posner, M.D.

Dr. Shor-Posner is professor of psychiatry, behavioral sciences, and epidemiology, and the director of the Division of Disease Prevention.  She has conducted pioneering studies to evaluate diverse aspects of neurocognition, complementary therapy, and HIV disease progression in vulnerable populations, nationally and internationally. 

Her division is the primary site for the NIH Fogarty “International Training Program in Epidemiology of AIDS and Tuberculosis” grant.  For almost 20 years, this program has provided training to facilitate the development of independent local research infrastructures for disease prevention and control in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The developmental core:

1. Facilitates interaction and development of new collaborative efforts among investigators in different scientific disciplines (clinical, behavioral, and basic science) and for established AIDS investigators, those new to AIDS research, and minority, and junior investigators. The core will provide trainees in the various graduate training programs with a unique and relevant research experience in HIV/AIDS.
2. Provides funding for pilot studies that will develop preliminary data for peer-reviewed research applications.  Support will be targeted to investigators new to HIV/AIDS research; research activities of newly recruited faculty working in HIV; feasibility studies; and emerging research opportunities.
3. Develops a mentorship program targeted toward U.S. and international trainees and faculty interested in a career in basic, behavioral, or clinical HIV/AIDS research, encouraging involvement in existing projects within the D-CFAR and collaborative international protocols.