*[research opportunities]

UCSD Youth Program offers multiple research opportunities for youth that are infected with HIV or AIDS. Here are some links to research opportunities:

• International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Group (IMPAACT)

  The mission of the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Group (IMPAACT) research group is to decrease significantly the illness and death associated with HIV disease in pregnant women, children, and adolescents worldwide by:
  
      • developing and evaluating safe and cost effective approaches for the interruption of mother to child transmission;
      • evaluating treatments for HIV-infected children, adolescents, and pregnant women, including treatment and prevention of co-infections and co-morbidities; and evaluating vaccines for the prevention of HIV sexual transmission among adolescents.

  Also, IMPACCT is a site for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study PHACS.  PHACS expands observational studies of HIV-infected children and HIV-negative children through two studies.  The Adolescent Master Protocol will analyze the effects of perinatally acquired HIV infection on sexual maturation, pubertal development, and cognitive, academic, vocational, and social functioning in pre-adolescents and adolescents in the United States.  The Surveillance of Maternal Antiretroviral Therapy Study will analyze information on the 45 long-term safety of fetal and infant exposure to prophylactic antiretroviral chemotherapy. 
  
  Website: pactg.s-3.com
  Contact: Lisa Stangl at (619) 543 – 8080

  
  
  
  
• UCSD AntiViral Research Center (AVRC)
  
  
  • Our mission is to develop and provide the highest-quality treatment and care for people living with HIV. This includes conducting state-of-the-art research in partnership with our community.
    
    For more information click here www.avrctrials.org
    
    
    
• HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC)
  
  
  • The mission of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC) is to increase our understanding of how HIV and other diseases affect the human nervous system. The Center is supported by public funding from the National Institutes of Health, the State of California, and other sources. The HNRC conducts research devoted to advancing our knowledge of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV-related diseases as they affect the brain and nervous system, and result in impairment of everyday functioning.
    
    For more information click here www.hnrc.ucsd.edu
    
    
    
• AIDSinfo
  
  
  • AIDSinfo is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) project providing information on HIV/AIDS clinical trials and treatment. It is the result of merging two previous DHHS projects: The AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service (ACTIS) and the HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS).
    
    For more information click here www.aidsinfo.nih.gov.