# Expansion of research and mentoring to improve birth outcomes and treatment outcomes among HIV-affected children in Botswana

> **NIH NIH K24** · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · 2021 · $178,153

## Abstract

Summary / Abstract
I am applying for a K24 award with the goals of expanding the scope of two NIH-funded research studies in
Botswana and creating a combined dataset to maximally utilize existing data and specimens from clinical
cohorts. In the past 18 years, I have built a successful research program in Botswana with a focus on the
prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), understanding adverse birth outcomes among infants
exposed to antiretrovirals in utero, and improving survival among HIV-infected and HIV-exposed children. I
have successfully mentored or co-mentored over 30 young investigators in my career, but through a K24
mechanism I can improve my mentoring expertise and expand opportunities for mentees. My K24-supported
research will have the following aims: 1) to expand analyses of the virologic and immunologic predictors of
successful outcomes following use of a broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody as an ART-sparing
intervention in a cohort of early-treated HIV-infected children; 2) to expand the objectives of existing NIH-
funded nationwide birth surveillance in Botswana by adding first-ever birth outcomes surveillance of
Dolutegravir-exposed infants and marginal structural modeling to simulate a clinical trial comparing birth
outcomes by ART regimens used in pregnancy; and 3) to combine data from 6 large research cohorts to
evaluate the reasons for declining mortality among HIV-exposed uninfected children in Botswana. My training
plan will specifically expand my expertise in maternal-fetal medicine, and my mentoring plan will involve a team
approach in Boston and Botswana to efficiently utilize opportunities within both large clinical trials and existing
datasets and specimens.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10086369
- **Project number:** 5K24AI131924-04
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Roger L Shapiro
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $178,153
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-02-05 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10086369

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10086369, Expansion of research and mentoring to improve birth outcomes and treatment outcomes among HIV-affected children in Botswana (5K24AI131924-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10086369. Licensed CC0.

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