Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) (University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Center)

Director:  Michael Saag, MD

Established:  1988

 

Introduction/Mission Statement

The UAB Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is one of the seven original Centers established by NIAID in 1988.  It has benefited over the past 20 years from Institutional leadership that has had the vision to support AIDS research to an extraordinary level, based on the deeply-held institutional belief that UAB investigators should play a leading role in combating this global plague.

The HIV pandemic affected Alabama later than the epicenters of the disease in the U.S., and initially the demographics of the disease mirrored that reported in the rest of the country.  Now, however, in common with a majority of Southern states, the burden of the disease falls on racial and ethnic minority populations, on women, and on the medically underserved, particularly in rural areas – presenting a challenge that is remarkably similar to that of the developing world.

The need for better treatments, better behavioral and prevention interventions, as well as an effective vaccine against HIV drives the research agenda of the UAB CFAR.  Institutional commitment, evidenced by strategic recruitment and provision of research space, resources, and targeted funding, coupled with the unique interdisciplinary environment of the UAB CFAR has allowed the HIV/AIDS research program to develop continuously over the last 20 years.  This has resulted in sustained growth of UAB AIDS-related funding increasing from $6 million in 1988 to over $74.2 million ($20 million NIH awards) in 2006.

The multidisciplinary membership base of the Center enables the rapid translation of fundamental knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its related disorders into clinical treatment, prevention programs, and effective community outreach interventions.  The UAB CFAR provides a dynamic environment for collaborative research within the Institution.  Research within the Center encompasses three major areas: HIV Pathogenesis, Experimental Therapeutics, and HIV Prevention – both domestically and internationally – with Research Programs in 14 defined specialties.  The UAB CFAR provides infrastructure, designated research space, 8 research core facilities with specialized equipment and trained personnel, and access to developmental research funds to its 152 members and the UAB research community.  The Center has played an indispensable role in UAB’s national reputation in HIV/AIDS research and care (ranked 5th in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2007). The UAB CFAR has brought world-class HIV/AIDS treatment, awareness and education to Birmingham, the surrounding metro area and the state of Alabama.

Building on a Continuously Growing Foundation of Strength

Since its inception, the UAB CFAR has been particularly successful in fostering collaborative interactions that bridge basic science and clinical research, as demonstrated by the following list of ‘firsts’.  UAB investigators were the first to:

Overview of the key roles played by the UAB Center for AIDS Research

The overall goal of the UAB CFAR is to stimulate and support multidisciplinary basic, behavioral and clinical AIDS research so as to hasten the development of effective treatments and prevention strategies for AIDS.  The UAB CFAR has taken a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, institution-wide approach to pursue this goal of fostering translational research.  The key roles played by the CFAR to achieve this goal include:

 

 

For additional information:

Web site:  http://www.uabcfar.uab.edu

Administrative Director:  Donna Porter, PhD

Email:  dcporter@uab.edu

Phone:  205-934-8291

 

Director:  Michael Saag, MD

Approved by:  Donna Porter, PhD, Administrative Director

Date:  April 8, 2008

 

 

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