The Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research Recruits an HIV/AIDS Research Coordinator and Elects an Executive Advisory Committee

Tampa, Florida – The Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research (FCHAR) is the scientific arm of the public policy research, advocacy and educational nonprofit organization, The AIDS Institute. Conceived in 2010, the Consortium now comprises 116 academic, public health and private HIV researchers from seven universities, the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of HIV/AIDS, county health departments, the state laboratory, and the private sector. FCHAR members account for 366 recently published and ongoing HIV-related studies, as reflected in the Consortium’s Florida Inventory on HIV/AIDS Research.

The FCHAR seeks to promote studies among partners that will lead to decreased HIV incidence and improved health outcomes for patients. “These are ambitious but achievable goals,” said Spencer Lieb, MPH, the recently appointed HIV/AIDS Research Coordinator for the Consortium. He added that, “In combining the talents and unique experience of expert Florida scientists, the FCHAR could eventually help bring us closer to a vaccine and a cure.” Lieb has an extensive research portfolio and has administered both statewide HIV/AIDS prevention and HIV/AIDS surveillance programs for the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). He has continued leading FCHAR, following retirement from a decades-long career in HIV/AIDS and 14 years as Senior Epidemiologist with the Florida Bureau of HIV/AIDS, FDOH.

“There really appears to be no paradigm for a statewide, HIV-related research group like Florida’s,” said Jeffrey Beal, M.D.,Clinical Director of the Florida/Caribbean AIDS Education and Training Center. “And while we are in uncharted waters, we have set a direction that is evidently working,” he continued. “There is a remarkable level of collaboration and good will among researchers who traditionally have competed with each other for limited resources.”

Newly elected members of an Executive Advisory Committee will be responsible for reviewing and prioritizing recommendations from the four working subcommittees, assessing progress toward meeting objectives, and revisiting the FCHAR goals, periodically and as needed. The Committee comprises one voting researcher from each of the seven participating universities and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute. A Chairperson, Dr. Beal, will also cast a vote when there might be disagreement on issues. Non-voting, conferring members of the Committee include the HIV/AIDS Research Coordinator, representatives from the Florida Department of Health and State Laboratory, as well as The AIDS Institute’s Executive Director. Members will provide support and guidance to the HIV/AIDS Research Coordinator.

“In this economic environment, it makes sense for the research community to work together toward a common goal and to share data, resources and talent within Florida,” said Michael Ruppal, Executive Director of The AIDS Institute. “The AIDS Institute is proud to take a leadership role and join forces with this amazing group of researchers who are committed to ensuring that Florida continues to be on the cutting edge of HIV research.”

Researchers interested in joining the Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research and those wanting more information about the group can contact Spencer Lieb, MPH, at SLieb@TheAIDSInstitute.org or 850.408.4512. Visit the FCHAR website at www.FCHAR.org, and The AIDS Institute website at www.TheAIDSInstitute.org.

Click Here to View FCHAR Executive Advisory Committee Members

Click Here to View FCHAR Map

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The AIDS Institute is a national nonprofit organization that promotes action for social change through public policy research, advocacy and education.

For more information and to become involved, please contact 
The AIDS Institute at: (202) 835-8373, or by email at: Info@theaidsinstitute.org or www.TheAIDSInstitute.org

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