# iTech Technology Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $430,688

## Abstract

Advances in technology are driving both an evolution of our approach to the prevention of HIV and the care of
those living with HIV, and of the means we use to disseminate prevention and treatment approaches. New
technologies, including mobile apps and web-based prevention services, have been proposed as one solution
to help bring HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) screening, PrEP adherence, and antiretroviral
adherence to scale. To support a program of research in these areas, core services, resources, and technical
capacities are needed. Co-directed by Sullivan and Hightow-Weidman, the Technology Core will provide
services for technology- related fields, including mobile technologies, web-based platforms, laboratory
platforms, online recruitment and technology-related ethics issues to support the overall iTech strategy. The
Core is conceptualized as a service center, to which individual investigators from within the iTech or the
broader ATN community of funded U19s can request specialized assistance or request to use shared
resources (e.g., video counseling platform, image libraries for advertising). Quality control of core services will
be assessed by review of the tangible results of service requests (e.g., requirements documents, summaries of
app testing, technical documents, laboratory protocols) by the Core co-directors. Centralization of resources
will allow development of deep expertise, minimize redundant costs of common tools, and facilitate
connections across research projects and sites. The specific aims of the Technology Core are to: 1) Provide
technology-support to all six research projects in the iTech and promote the development of sustainable
technologies for addressing the HIV care continuum among youth; 2) To be a resource to other funded U19s
by providing technical assistance and support on all technology-related aspects of recruitment, retention,
implementation and evaluation; 3) Develop and disseminate best practices for the execution and evaluation of
technology-based interventions within the Adolescent Trials Network and stay up to date with technological
advances, including those related to platform/system changes, new technologies (e.g. wearables, sensors,
point of care testing) and improved methodologies (e.g. EMA, virtual reality); and 4) Develop and maintain
standards for the ethical conduct of online/technology-based interventions for youth through ongoing
consultation with community advisors. In addition to supporting the iTech research and pilots studies, the
Technology Core will work collaboratively with the Management Core to ensure project and subject recruitment
venue (SRV) milestones are met, data standards are upheld and dissemination is timely. Collaboration with the
Analytic Core will serve to ensure the development, execution, analysis, and dissemination phases of each
research project succeed. The Technology Core will also serve as a resource to other funded U19s providing
technical assistance ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9955293
- **Project number:** 5U19HD089881-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Lisa B Hightow-Weidman
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $430,688
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9955293

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9955293, iTech Technology Core (5U19HD089881-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9955293. Licensed CC0.

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