University of Pittsburgh HIV-Comorbidities Research Training Program in South Africa

虽然使用有效的抗逆转录病毒疗法(ART)可以延长艾滋病毒感染者的预期寿命， 与未感染艾滋病毒的普通人群相比，他们患多种疾病和死亡的风险仍然更高。 与ART相关的长期毒性、持续性炎症和生活方式被假设为 非艾滋病定义疾病的机制，如心血管疾病(CVD)、慢性肾脏 疾病(CKD)和神经精神疾病(NPD)，这些疾病的频率随着年龄的增长而增加 在感染艾滋病毒的人群中。很少有人进行研究来量化这些问题的负担 三种艾滋病毒共病或设计和评估预防措施的有效性和成本效益 以及撒哈拉以南非洲的治疗战略。此外，南非是世界上最高的国家 不幸的是，全球艾滋病毒的负担，缺乏合格的调查人员来实现这些变化 艾滋病病毒并存。匹兹堡大学艾滋病毒-合并症研究培训的总体目标 计划在南非(PIT-HRTP-SA)是建立一个临界量的下一代基本， 开普敦斯泰伦博什大学的翻译、临床和公共卫生研究人员，进行 高质量的研究，产生新的知识，改善结果，并取得成功， 独立调查人员。具体目标是：1)获得研究方法、伦理和领导力 和管理技能；2)进行有指导的HIV-CVD、CKD和NPD研究，在当地解决新的问题 提出相关问题并检验有意义的假设；3)熟练掌握科学陈述 以及写作、研究道德和管理；4)评估 根据需要进行计划和调整，并掌握将研究成果转化为临床的技能 实践和公共卫生政策。我们将通过创新的南北和南向实现这些目标-- 南三角辅导模式。每名学员将有一名南非核心导师(附属于SU 或开普敦大学)和一名美国联合导师(匹兹堡大学；约翰霍普金斯大学； 哈佛大学；加州大学旧金山分校；加州大学洛杉矶分校)，简称 在一家合作的美国机构进行学期培训的经验。用来构建和 增强研究能力将包括：授课课程(硕士和/或博士)，有指导的高素质 研究、体验式学习、试点研究资助、研讨会、研讨会、期刊俱乐部、科学 写作务虚会，以及PIT-HRTP-SA网站资源。一个指导委员会，在与 独立培训咨询委员会，将批准招聘、研究、监测和评估 在12名竞争激烈的学员中，每个人将获得种子研究补助金，最高可达50% 保护性研究时间最长可达5年。每个实习生都将有一个个性化的职业发展计划 这将在他们的整个任期内和该计划完成后受到监测和跟踪。

Although the life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals increases with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) use, they remain at higher risk of multi-morbidity and mortality than the general HIV-uninfected population. Long-term ART-related toxicity, persistent inflammation, and lifestyle have been hypothesized as mechanisms for non-AIDS defined conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney diseases (CKD), and neuropsychiatric disease (NPD), which are increasing in frequency with the aging of the HIV-infected population. Very little research has been conducted to quantify the burden of these three HIV-comorbidities or to design and evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preventive and treatment strategies in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, South Africa, the country with the highest burden of HIV globally, unfortunately has a paucity of qualified investigators to effect change in these HIV-comorbidities. The overall objective of the University of Pittsburgh HIV-comorbidities Research Training Program in South Africa (Pitt-HRTP-SA) is to build a critical mass of the next generation of basic, translational, clinical, and public health researchers at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, to conduct high-quality research, generate new knowledge, improve outcomes, and become successful, independent investigators. The specific aims are: 1) To gain research methodology, ethics, leadership and management skills; 2) To conduct mentored HIV-CVD, CKD, and NPD research that address new, locally relevant questions and test meaningful hypotheses; 3) To become proficient in scientific presentations and writing, grantsmanship, research ethics and management; 4) To evaluate the outcomes of the program and make adjustments as needed and acquire skills to translate research findings into clinical practice and public health policies. We will achieve these aims using an innovative North-South and South- South triangular mentoring model. Each trainee will have one South African core mentor (affiliated with SU or University of Cape Town) and one US co-mentor (University of Pittsburgh; Johns Hopkins University; Harvard University; University of California, San Francisco; University of California, Los Angeles), short- term training experience at one of the collaborating US institutions. The strategies utilized to build and enhance research capacity will include: didactic coursework (Masters and/or PhD), mentored high-caliber research, experiential learning, pilot research grants, workshops, seminars, journal clubs, scientific writing retreats, and Pitt-HRTP-SA website resources. A Steering Committee, after consultation with an independent Training Advisory Committee, will approve the recruitment, research, monitoring, and evaluation of twelve highly competitive trainees, each of whom will be provided a seed research grant and up to 50% of protected research time up to 5 years. Each trainee will have an individualized career development plan that will be monitored and tracked throughout their tenure and after completion of the program.