Emory
HIV/AIDS Clinical Research Training Program
Progam Overview
The Emory HIV/AIDS Clinical Research Training Program is a National
Research Service Award postdoctoral fellowship program
funded by the National
Institute of Mental Health. The program is designed for
psychiatrists and psychologists who seek specialized clinical research
training in the HIV/AIDS mental health and behavioral science areas.
The training program is composed of an interdisciplinary faculty and
affords opportunities to work with mentors in the Emory
University School of Medicine, Grady Health System Infectious
Disease Program, Rollins
School of Public Health of Emory University, Yerkes
Regional Primate Research Center of Emory University, and
the United States Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
Program Goals
The primary goal of the Emory HIV/AIDS Clinical Research Training
Program is to train clinical researchers from the disciplines of psychiatry
and psychology in HIV/AIDS mental health and behavioral science research.
Within this overarching framework, the training objectives of the
program include expanding knowledge of relevant clinical and research
issues pertaining to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, enhancing critical thinking
skills as they relate to the formulation of research questions and
study designs, facilitating mastery of specific research techniques
and specialized research skills, and providing experience in administrative
leadership and technical management of research projects.
Program Structure and Content
The fellowship provides both broad training in clinical research and
a specialized research experience focusing on a specific content area.
The program is designed as a two-year experience in order to provide
a sufficient time frame for trainees to obtain the requisite clinical
research skills and see their research activities through to completion,
although the time frame for enrollment in the fellowship can be individualized
according to the specific training needs of the fellow. The program
is structured according to a mentorship model, with each trainee assigned
to a primary mentor according to research training interests. Secondary
mentors and consultants also are available for specialized training
experiences. Fellows gain a basic working knowledge of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic as a whole, and pursue concentrated training along one of
three clinical research pathways.
Applied mental health research pathway: includes research on HIV-related
psychopathology, psychological adjustment, mental health treatment,
and/or clinical trials.
Behavioral interventions research pathway: includes research on HIV
prevention, risk reduction, and/or treatment adherence.
Basic science-clinical research linkages pathway: includes research
on HIV neuropathogenesis, primate models of immunodeficiency virus
infections, HIV-related neuroscience, and/or psychoneuroimmunology.
In addition to their research activities, fellows attend a didactic
seminar series comprised of a general seminar designed to provide
an overview of the biomedical, neuropsychiatric, psychological, psychosocial,
and sociocultural dimensions of HIV/AIDS, and a research seminar that
focuses on research conceptualization and design, research ethics,
dissemination of research findings via professional presentations
and publications, and preparation of research grant proposals. Fellows
also may enroll in formal course work to gain additional specialty
training in areas specifically relevant to research focus.
A small amount of direct clinical mental health service also is included
as part of the fellowship. This component of training is designed
to familiarize trainees with salient clinical issues and concerns
of HIV patients. Participation in clinical care not only provides
essential opportunities to gain increased understanding of the unique
needs of persons living with HIV disease, but also can inform the
process of formulating of clinically relevant research questions.
Salary and Additional Support
The fellowship stipend amount is set by the National Institute of
Mental Health and varies according to the number of postdoctoral years
completed at the time of enrollment in the fellowship program. Additionally,
limited financial support is available for course tuition, travel
and registration for professional conferences, professional society
dues and journal subscriptions, as well as books and supplies directly
relevant to specific clinical research training needs.
Eligibility Requirements
The program is designed for PGY-5 and above psychiatrists and psychologists
who have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. degree. Applicants
must have received their degrees from appropriately accredited institutions.
In accordance with requirements for National Research Service Award
research training grants, only citizens or non-citizen nationals of
the United States, or persons lawfully admitted as permanent residents
are eligible to participate in the program.
Program Inquiries and Application Information
Applications to the Emory HIV/AIDS Clinical Research Training Program
are accepted as vacant slots become available. For information regarding
availability of fellowship openings and required application materials,
please contact:
Co-Directors
Andrew Miller, MD
Eugene Farber, PhD
Emory HIV/AIDS
Clinical Research Training Program
Grady Health System Infectious Disease Program
341 Ponce de Leon Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Phone: (404) 616-6612
Fax: (404) 616-1010
E-mail contact: Carol Stoll