Core E: Behavior, Social Sciences, and Community Outreach

Director: Lisa Metsch, Ph.D.

Dr. Metsch is associate professor of epidemiology and public health, with secondary appointments in the Departments of Medicine and Sociology. Dr. Metsch directs the Sociomedical Sciences Research Group and is the Associate Director of the Comprehensive Drug Research Center. Her research focuses on the HIV/AIDS prevention and access to care, women's health, and substance abuse policy research.

Dr. Metsch recently completed service on the NIH study section, BSCH, which examines behavioral and clinical studies for persons living with HIV and is currently on the editorial board of AIDS and Behavior.


Co-Director: Neil Schneiderman, Ph.D.

Dr. Schneiderman is professor of psychology, biomedical engineering, medicine, and psychiatry at the University of Miami. He is the chair of the UM General Clinical Research Center NIH Advisory Committee and serves on the University's Fogarty International Program Advisory Committee.  His research interests include behavioral medicine research in cardiovascular disease, HIV and cancer, and CNS control of circulation and conditioning.

The BSSCO Core offers resources and staff to:

  1. Promote active involvement with South Florida community representatives and organizations in the UM D-CFAR
  2. Provide D-CFAR investigators with consultation and resources that will aid them in developing and implementing procedures to enhance recruitment and retention of community- and clinic-based study participants
  3. Expand the ability of behavioral and social scientists to collaborate with clinical and laboratory scientists