CAPS Development and Mentoring Core

The Development and Mentoring Core (DMC) advances the scientific mission of the UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS) by training new scientists, supporting current faculty investigators, and cultivating excellence in influential, groundbreaking, and timely HIV science. The landscape of the HIV epidemic is changing rapidly, and there is a need for multidisciplinary research to optimize recent advances and to address new challenges in HIV prevention and treatment. Social and behavioral research is critical to ending the HIV epidemic, as its approaches and methods advance the development, evaluation, and implementation of cutting-edge approaches to preventing HIV and its consequences. In this innovative iteration of CAPS, the DMC will coordinate a wide range of resources and services that will (1) Stimulate creative, timely, rigorous, and high-impact multidisciplinary HIV research; (2) Cultivate the capacity of investigators who will lead the future of HIV research; and (3) Nurture a high-impact scientific environment. Key activities proposed in this application include the coordination of the CAPS Research Award, our internal peer review system, and rigorous training programs. We also introduce a new research-driven brainstorming hub, propose a career continuum perspective to support each stage of an investigator’s career, and offer a directorship shadowing experience for an early-career faculty member. We will continue to integrate activities with all other cores to ensure that the DMC's resources are easily accessible and optimally used by a spectrum of academic and non-academic institutions, individual investigators, and policymakers within and outside of UCSF. We will prioritize core activities focused on CAPS’ three priority themes, while continuing to cultivate the wide range of high-impact, investigator-driven, and entrepreneurial HIV research that is a hallmark of CAPS' successful history.

Consults and Mentoring

We provide mentoring and consultation to CAPS researchers on topics such as career direction, program of research ideas, and personal–work life balance. Consultations are for faculty at all levels, faculty aspirants, and fellows. To schedule a consultation, please contact Rochelle Blanco.

Presentations

CAPS Town Halls, usually held from 11:00 am to Noon on Tuesdays (but sometimes at other times), focus on emerging issues and stimulate research innovation. Scientists and staff are strongly encouraged to attend. We hold different types of Town Halls, which may emphasize work of CAPS and other UCSF investigators; outside investigators and policy experts; and experts from community-based organizations. See this link for upcoming events.

Multi-disciplinary Interest Groups

These groups are organized to stimulate innovation in various areas. Groups usually meet monthly or quarterly as decided by the group members. For information about current groups, please contact Rochelle Blanco.

Innovative Grants Program

This program supports pilot studies with the theme of innovation in HIV/AIDS social-behavioral or policy research. The focus is on multidisciplinary work and populations at especially high risk for HIV. For details about the Innovative Grants Program, visit the Innovative Grants Program page. For information about other funding opportunities available through the UCSF Resource Allocation Program and application instructions, visit the UCSF Resource Allocation Program funding opportunities page.

Peer Review

Peer review provides important opportunities for brainstorming, discussing scientific issues, and reviewing and contributing to each other’s work—manuscripts, grant proposals, and presentations—assuring that they are of the highest quality before they go out the door. All work supported by CAPS grants, conducted by CAPS investigators, or for publication anywhere CAPS is cited should go through the peer review system. Peer review also ensures that our work is relevant to and reflective of the needs of the community. The CAPS Community Advisory Board is notified of peer reviews, and members are normally invited to attend and offer feedback. See this link for details about the peer review system and to schedule a review. For other questions, please contact Stuart Gaffney or Parya Saberi.

Training Programs

We support the Traineeships in AIDS Prevention (TAPS), the International Traineeship in AIDS Prevention Studies (ITAPS), the Collaborative HIV Prevention Research (VP Program), and the Ujima Mentoring training programs. Click on each program name to learn more.

Core Staff