September 18, 2006

• A. CIRA SPONSORED AIDS SEMINARS
• B. CIRA MEETINGS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
• C. OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. CIRA SPONSORED AIDS SEMINARS

1. THIS WEEK! YACS@CIRA: "A Systematic Review of Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis C Virus in Drug Users"
   09/21/06 12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. (Brown bag lunch, cookies and drinks provided)
   Speaker: Holly Hagan, The Center for Drug Use and HIV Research at the National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
   Description: Hyperendemic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in drug users presents one of the most challenging issues in public health. To develop effective prevention programs, HCV epidemiology and prevention research conducted so far must be thoroughly understood, as factors associated with variability in HCV infection may offer leads to HCV prevention. We are currently conducting a systematic review (meta-analysis) of all related research conducted since 1989 (when HCV was discovered). A meta-analysis of HCV infection among non-injecting drug users will be presented as an example of our study methodology and findings.
   Please RSVP to Elizabeth.Eocaci-Tucker@yale.edu.
   Co-Sponsors: Institution for Social and Policy Studies and the Yale School of Public Health's Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (EMD)
   Location: 60 College Street, LEPH Room 608 New Haven, CT
   Contact: For more information or directions, please call 764-4333, email leif.mitchell@yale.edu or visit the YACS@CIRA website: http://cira.med.yale.edu/events/yacs.html
2. Director's International Seminar: "Researching the Epidemic in India: Critical Concerns and Issues”
   09/28/06, 12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. (Lunch will be provided)
   Speaker: Dr. Shalini Bharat, Ph.D., Dean, School of Health System Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India
   Sponsor: CIRA
   Location: OIT Conference Room, 40 Temple Street, Suite 3D, New Haven
   Contact: Please RSVP to Debra Tompkins at: debra.tompkins@yale.edu or (203) 764-4337.
3. NEW! Research In Progress Seminar
   10/06/06, 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.
   Speaker: Ayanda Mbele, International Trainee
   Sponsor: Office of International Training (OIT)
   Location: OIT, Large Conference Room, 40 Temple Street, Suite 3D, New Haven
   

B. CIRA MEETINGS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. CANCELED! Peer Review
   09/21/06, 2:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
   Location: CIRA Conference Room, 40 Temple Street, Suite 1B, New Haven
   Description: Materials for peer review must be submitted one week in advance of the peer review meeting. If you would like to have a manuscript reviewed, please contact Debra Newton (debra.newton@yale.edu). If you would like to have a proposal reviewed as part of the process of affiliating your research project with CIRA, please contact Kim Blankenship (kim.blankenship@yale.edu). We encourage you to have your proposal reviewed early in its development. The purpose of peer review is to enhance the quality of proposals and publications from CIRA scientists by allowing them to benefit from the Center's expertise. The spirit of CIRA's peer review program is one of collegiality and respect; it is meant to be constructive rather than evaluative. Investigators use the feedback they receive as they see fit.
2. NEW THIS WEEK! Law, Policy & Ethics (LPE) Core Meeting
   09/21/06, 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon
   Location: CIRA Conference Room, 40 Temple Street, Suite 1B, New Haven
3. CANCELED! International Research (IR) Core Meeting
   09/25/06, 3:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
   Location: CIRA Conference Room, 40 Temple Street, Suite 1B, New Haven
4. Community Forum on Community Engaged Research for Community's Leaders
   09/27/06, 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon
   Description: During this workshop participants will address the value of community/university partnerships in health research for the community and the university and what each partner needs to bring to the table. A reactor panel will be moderated by Sarena Siefer of Campus Community Partnerships for Health. http://www.ccph.info
   Sponsors: CIRA jointly sponsors this event along with the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, Empower New Haven, and Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center
   Location: Aldermanic Chambers, City Hall, New Haven, CT
5. Community Research (CR) Core Meeting
   09/28/06, 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.
   Location: CIRA Conference Room, 40 Temple Street, Suite 1B, New Haven
6. CIRA International Research (IR) Core Consultations

   The IR Core is offering CIRA-affiliated scientists and CIRA Postdoctoral Fellows the opportunity to call on its expertise through Core Consultations. A portion of the Core meetings, held on the fourth Monday of every month from 3:00-4:30 pm, will be available for scientists seeking guidance or the exchange of ideas about an ongoing or new international HIV/AIDS research project.

   The IR Core members include internationally renowned scientists from diverse disciplinary backgrounds like epidemiology, medicine, ethics, sociology, economics, and community research. Their research experience spans countries like China, India, Russia, South Africa and many more. Our IR Core members have designed and implemented preventive HIV/AIDS research projects with injection drug users, sex workers, orphans and vulnerable children and several other high-risk and vulnerable groups.

   At the IR Core meeting, the scientist receiving the Consultation will first provide a brief, informal overview of the research project and the issues he or she would like addressed by the Core. This will be followed by an informal, non-evaluative discussion. Examples of issues that might be discussed include study design, finding international collaborators, ethical issues, and how current research could lead to future research proposals.

   We hope that scientists will take advantage of this opportunity to receive feedback from their peers. Kindly email Reshma Trasi (reshma.trasi@yale.edu) if you would like to schedule a Consultation or if you have any questions.

C. OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. NEW! TODAY! Trade and Development Workshop, Department of Economics – "Relative Risks and the Market for Sex: Teenagers, Sugar Daddies and HIV in Kenya"
   09/18/06, 3:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
   Speaker: Pascaline Dupas, Dartmouth College
   Location: 28 Hillhouse Avenue, Room 106
   
2. NEW! Northeast Community HIV Forum – "HIV Update and Adherence"
   09/25/06, 12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. (Lunch will be provided)
   Speaker: Amadou Diagne, Gilead Medical Science and Community Liaison
   Sponsor: The CT AIDS Education & Training Center (CAETC), Northeast Community HIV Forum
   Location: WRCC, 872 Main St., Willimantic, CT
   Contact: If you are coming please call 860-423-4534
3. The Bridgeport Community HIV Forum - "Keys to Success”
   9/27/06, 12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. (Lunch will be provided)
   Speaker: Michelle Lopez, New York City
   Sponsors: The CT AIDS Education & Training Center (CAETC), the Evergreen Network and Gilead Pharmaceuticals
   Location: First Baptist Church, Brown Room, 126 Washington Ave., Bridgeport, CT
   Contact: You must RSVP to be assured lunch: CAETC@yale.edu or (203) 737-2312 or to the Evergreen Network at 203-576-0677
4. Consumer-Targeted Adherence Conference
   10/25/06, 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
   "A New Approach to HIV Medication Adherence: Learning How to take HIV
   Medications for a Lifetime … and Succeed!"
   Registration ENDS October 17, 2006. Preference will be given to people living with HIV/AIDS, however HIV/AIDS providers are welcome. We will need Name and Phone Number (of participants) for registration.
   Location: Connecticut Grand Hotel, 3580 E. Main St., Waterbury, CT
   Sponsors: The CT Department of Public Health and The CT AIDS Education and Training Center
   Contact: CAETC@yale.edu or (203) 737-2312