# Administrative Core - The Center for Innovation in Point-of-Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases at Northwestern University (C-THAN)

> **NIH NIH U54** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $375,029

## Abstract

SUMMARY – ADMINISTRATIVE (ADMIN) CORE
The Center for Innovation in Point-of-Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS and Emerging Infectious
Diseases at Northwestern (C-THAN) will be a vital partner as a Technology Research and Development
Centers (TRDC) in the NIBIB Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network (POCTRN) focusing its mission to
catalyze innovation in diagnostic technologies through a model that enhances complementary strengths to
build multidisciplinary partnerships across technology platforms, clinical, regulatory and commercialization
domains with a specific focus on HIV/AIDS and emerging infectious diseases in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs). The structure of C-THAN will consist of scientific and technology expertise in point-of-care
(POC) and home-based diagnostics along with clinical study design and sites to facilitate the identification and
integration of enabling technologies into devices that address the specific clinical needs of HIV/AIDS and
emerging infectious diseases. C-THAN will be comprised of four Cores: Administrative, Technology, Clinical,
and Dissemination. An emphasis will be directed to specific technology domains by establishing the following
technology working groups (WG): 1) molecular, 2) lateral flow, 3) synthetic biology, and 4) product engineering.
The Admin Core will provide the appropriate leadership and structure to manage the many facets of C-THAN,
a large and complex TRDC. The Admin Core will serve as the managing component of C-THAN that is
charged with leading the organization, governance of the center, collaboration within and outside POCTRN,
communication and continuous quality improvement and efficiency of the activities. C-THAN will be directed
by the MPIs, Drs. Chad Achenbach, MD, MPH, a biomedical engineer (BME) and medical doctor with expertise
in infectious diseases and public health with over 20 years of experience in clinical research on HIV and
emerging infectious diseases, Robert Murphy, MD, an infectious diseases trained research physician who has
been working in Africa for more than 22 years, Sally McFall, PhD a biomedical engineer and expert in
developing POC medical devices for Africa. They will be assisted by the C-THAN Steering Committee which
will provide scientific and administrative oversight of C-THAN functions including review and selection of
projects to receive sub-award funding. Key partner institutions of C-THAN include Northwestern University
(lead partner); University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), Stellenbosch University,
University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Jos, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
(MUHAS), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), and the
University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD). The C-THAN consortium will build upon its 20-year history of
infrastructure development and research training with key partners in Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and
South Africa.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10762199
- **Project number:** 2U54EB027049-06
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Chad J Achenbach
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $375,029
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-09-11 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10762199

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10762199, Administrative Core - The Center for Innovation in Point-of-Care Technologies for HIV/AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases at Northwestern University (C-THAN) (2U54EB027049-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10762199. Licensed CC0.

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