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Trainee Support Program

In 2024, THI introduced a new HIV research training initiative focused on supporting postdoctoral fellows at UC San Diego. Leveraging various funding sources, including endowed funds, this initiative is designed to support trainees conducting research across diverse fields such as clinical, virological, epidemiological, immunological, and socio-behavioral studies. The overall goal of our program is to support training and advance the careers of new leaders in HIV research.

Initially, the funds will prioritize providing supplemental, non-federal support for recipients of federal fellowships to bridge the gap between federal grant funding and University of California (UC) salaries, commonly referred to as the "salary delta." This gap has become more pronounced due to the 2023 contracts negotiated by the UAW for Academic Researchers, Postdoctoral Scholars, Graduate Student Researchers, and Academic Student Employees, which have significantly increased salary expectations. To date we have provided over $290k in support.

This year, we have provided $146,000 to support 6 fellows HIV research (two from the HOPE T32 program established by Dr. Richman in 1990 and three from the Substance Use, HIV, and Related Infections T32 program and one to support salary gap funding) across the UC San Diego Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health.

Looking forward, the initiative may also extend funding to support HIV research projects led by UCSD-affiliated investigators. The funding available for awards each year will depend on the funds generated and expended in the previous year.

Below are the recipients of the HIV Institute T32 Trainee Support Initiative.

  • Marie Elena Barone, PhD

    Marie Elena Barone, PhD

    Research Project: Immuno-Epigenetic Mechanisms of Neurocognitive Resilience and Vulnerability Across the HIV Disease Continuum.
  • Renatta Bobadilla, MD

    Renatta Bobadilla, MD

    Research Project: Immune regulation os hepatic and peripheral viral persistance in HIV/HBV coinfection
  • Erika Felker-Kantor, PhD

    Erika Felker-Kantor, PhD

    Research Project: RISE-NW (Resilience, Integration, Support, and Empowerment for Newcomer Women): A Syndemic-Informed Implementation Science Approach to Integrating Mental Health and HIV Prevention for Newcomer Women in the U.S.–Mexico Border Region.
  • Natalie Flath, PhD

    Natalie Flath, PhD

    Research Project: Structural stigma and methadone among Kyrgyz people at risk for HIV: A psychometric examination of a latent construct of multi-systemic institutional stigma on methadone utilization.
  • Lily Ostrer, MD

    Lily Ostrer, MD

    Research Project: Modeling Potential Impact of HIV Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Treatment among People Who Inject Drugs in India.
  • Tequila Porter, PhD

    Tequila Porter, PhD

    Research Project: Exploring high-risk alcohol use prevalence among women living with HIV (WLHW) in Botswana.