Administrative Core A

PROJECT SUMMARY – ADMINISTRATIVE CORE A Administrative Core A will be responsible for managing, coordinating, and overseeing the entire range of the Texas D-CFAR activities, monitoring progress, and ensuring that the project milestones are met and within the proposed timelines. This responsibility includes comprehensive oversight of all Texas Developmental Center

for AIDS Research (D-CFAR) activities at the three primary institutions: Baylor College of Medicine (Baylor) and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), both in Houston's Texas Medical Center, and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute (TxBiomed) in San Antonio. The Texas D-CFAR will

focus its research over the next five years on the theme: “Ending HIV and Optimizing HIV Health in Texas.” Core A will oversee efforts to realize the goal of the Texas D-CFAR, to significantly advance HIV research in Texas, by focusing on the Texas D-CFAR's mission to promote HIV research at the institutions by facilitating

collaboration in HIV research, offering pilot funding to all early stage investigators and to established investigators not currently involved in HIV research, and offering core services to HIV researchers. Administrative Core A will integrate exceptional basic, translational, clinical, health services and public health

research to train the next generation of HIV scientists and engage the community. Core A has led the performance of a comprehensive gaps and needs analysis and will organize efforts to meet those needs and fill those gaps. To achieve its goals, Core A has established the following two Specific Aims: 1) Organize

activities and programs that strengthen the Texas D-CFAR research environment; and 2) Provide strategic and financial management for the Texas D-CFAR. Administrative Core A will execute decisions of the Executive Council; develop and implement the annual strategic plan; provide leadership and guidance for new initiatives;

organize the External Advisory Board, Internal Advisory Board, and Community Advisory Board; manage Texas D-CFAR finances and personnel; and interact with institutional leadership. Administrative Core A will provide logistical and other support to the other Cores and the Substance Use Scientific Work Group, assist

with recruitment of new faculty, facilitate communication and information dissemination, coordinate enrichment activities such as research and education presentations, hold an annual Texas D-CFAR Conference. Administrative Core A will maintain records and prepare reports, including the annual Texas D-CFAR progress

report and continuation application; and communicate with NIH program officers. The Administrative Core will be based at Baylor College of Medicine and will coordinate administrative matters with UTHealth and TxBiomed. Ultimately, Administrative Core A will provide the administrative support and infrastructure to

support successful advancements in HIV research of the researchers leading to progression to a full CFAR application and impact on efforts to end HIV and improve health for people with HIV in Texas and beyond. These efforts will lead to a full CFAR application in 5-years.