# Behavioral Sciences Research in HIV Infection

> **NIH NIH T32** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2022 · $492,795

## Abstract

The Training Program entitled, “Behavioral Sciences Research in HIV Infection,” associated with the HIV Center
for Clinical and Behavioral Studies in the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, provides innovative
postdoctoral training in sexuality, gender, and mental health research applied to HIV. Despite significant
biomedical advances in treatment and prevention, sexuality and gender disparities, and mental health problems
continue to play central roles in the continued HIV epidemic. To contribute to ending the epidemic, scholars are
needed who have a fundamental understanding of sexuality and gender as they shape sexual expression and
social life and of mental health as it influences the adoption of preventive behaviors and adherence to medical
care. The Program’s goal is to prepare scholars for independent research careers, in which they will be able to
collaborate across disciplines to address the challenges posed by the evolving HIV epidemic. With its theoretical
rigor, methodological innovation, and practical application, the Program addresses the complex psychological,
social, and public health dilemmas posed by the epidemic and builds upon biomedical developments in HIV
prevention and treatment. The Program employs three complementary and mutually reinforcing learning
strategies: (1) Fellows engage in HIV research mentored by experienced senior investigators; (2) Fellows receive
instruction in substantive issues, including the intersection of sexuality, gender, and mental health, and
fundamentals of medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, and implementation science related to
HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care; and (3) Fellows receive training in critical academic and professional
skills that will enable them to excel as competitive researchers with extramural grant support from NIH or other
funders. In the next five years, we propose to maintain a cohort of seven Fellows, each with a three-year
appointment and with new appointments made as Fellows graduate. Building on almost 30 years of success in
training postdoctoral research Fellows, this Program has and will continue to evolve with systematic input from
current and graduated Fellows, Program Faculty, and HIV Center’s Senior Advisers that leads to ongoing
improvements. Proposed changes in this competing renewal include a Program-specific research grant writing
course, the introduction of mentoring plans to complement the Individual Development Plans, and more intensive
career coaching in the first year of training. As illustrated by the successful careers of many of our graduates,
the Program has had a major impact on HIV/AIDS research and HIV/AIDS-related prevention, treatment and
care. Our Program will continue to be enriched by the numerous educational resources and training opportunities
offered throughout Columbia University, its medical center and school of public health, and New York City. Being
engaged in both the New York State “Ending the Epi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10426187
- **Project number:** 5T32MH019139-33
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Theodorus G.M. Sandfort
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $492,795
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1989-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10426187

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10426187, Behavioral Sciences Research in HIV Infection (5T32MH019139-33). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10426187. Licensed CC0.

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