ABOUT IRFN

Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship in NeuroAIDS (IRFN) is affiliated with the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Programs (HNRP) at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). The impetus for this educational program is driven by the idea that our future success in tackling the complex clinical disorders encountered in neuroAIDS depends on the availability of clinically-oriented researchers with training across relevant research disciplines. To this end, we have followed an interdisciplinary model of research training aimed at bridging the gaps left by single discipline approaches. Our program functions as a neuroAIDS-themed Special Institute emphasizing interdisciplinary and translational neuroAIDS research through three main programmatic components: an academic didactic program, a research component, and close mentoring by experts in the field, making available the talents of preclinical and clinically oriented neuroAIDS researchers at UCSD and affiliated regional institutions. The IRFN provides a clear progression for each fellow toward independence in order to consolidate their future success. Fellows will be learn to approach neuroAIDS research questions from an interdisciplinary and translational perspective, with potential clinical applications as an essential end point of their work. The research experiences of IRFN fellows will be in the laboratories of high-caliber, internationally recognized neuroAIDS researchers.

The program features: 

1. Outstanding faculty who have a long history of mentoring researchers to become independent investigators;
2. Research experiences that are tailored to each fellow's needs including access to external experts in their laboratories or invited onto campus;
3. Both fixed and flexible didactic experiences

Fellowship Goals

The Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship in NeuroAIDs (IRFN), with funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), provides training and mentoring to clinical and basic scientists interested in careers in neuroAIDS research.

Training experiences emphasize the interdisciplinary and translational nature of clinical problems in neuroAIDS in order to prepare future scientists to tackle emerging questions in the field.

The IRFN pairs trainees with mentors from clinical and basic science backgrounds according to their research interests, and provides a clinical literacy program in neuroAIDS for basic scientists.

IRFN Fellows are exposed to cutting-edge scientific environments and have contact with some of the most respected neuroAIDS researchers in the world.

Video Lectures

• IRFN Intro: A NIMH-Funded R25 Education Program – Mariana Cherner, PhD
• Central Nervous System Distribution of Antiretroviral Drugs – Scott Letendre, MD
• HIV Persistence, Reservoirs and Care – Ron Ellis, MD, PhD
• Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship in NeuroAIDS Seminar – Christine Fennema-Notestine, PhD
• Animal Models of NeuroAIDS & HAND – Marcus Kaul, PhD
• The cells that make you lose your nerves – Cecilia Marcondes, PhD
• The Role of the Microbiome in CNS Disorders – Scott Petterson, PhD
• Clinical HIV and Therapies – Sara Gianella Weibel, MD
• HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Impairment in Hispanics/Latinos – Maria Marquine, PhD
• IRFN 2020 Graduation Event

How to Apply

The New Investigator Engagement Program recruits, supports, and follows the progress of graduate students, postdoctoral (Ph.D. or M.D.) fellows, and junior faculty in disciplines relevant to HNRC research. The objectives of the program is to assist enrollees with research training and experience in neuroAIDS through:

1. Matching of trainees with appropriate faculty mentors and monitoring the process to encourage effective interactions and career development;
2. Referral to and support for formal courses in methodology directly relevant to their research projects;
3. Mentoring in the design, data collection, analysis, presentation and publication of research studies and in the process of developing and submitting peer reviewed grant proposals;
4. Small grants or other aid to support their HNRC-related projects.

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A virtual memorial for Professor Cris Achim took place on Thursday, February 20, 2025. The video recording of the event can be found here.

We encourage you to share some thoughts or reflections about Dr. Achim that will be gathered for a virtual archive. Please leave your comments or upload photos at this link. 

It is with great sadness that we learned that our dear colleague and friend Cris Achim passed suddenly last Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Dr. Achim had been a member of our group since 2007, contributing his neurobiology and neuropathology expertise to our many translational studies. At the time of his death, his critical roles included being head of the neuropathology unit of the California NeuroAIDS tissue network, a co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship in NeuroAIDS, and also head of the Neurobiology unit of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center.

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Address:
220 Dickinson Street, Suite B, MC8231
San Diego, CA 92103-8231

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (619) 543-5000
Fax: (619) 543-1235

Click on map to link to directions:

Igor Grant, M.D., F.R.C.P.(C), Director of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP)

Igor Grant, M.D., is Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He is Director of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP), which includes the California NeuroAIDS Tissue Network (CNTN), the Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center (TMARC), the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), the CNS HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) and the University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR). Dr. Grant is the founding Editor of the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society and founding co-editor of the journal AIDS and Behavior.

Investigators

AVAILABLE STUDIES

The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) is conducting research into the effects and treatments of HIV infection and co-occurring conditions (for example, Hepatitis C).

You may be eligible to participate in one or more of these research studies. Benefits of participation vary but may include test results, treatments and/or compensation. All personal information is strictly confidential. Study participation is voluntary.

For further details about any of our studies, please call (619) 543-5000 and ask to speak with a recruiter or email study staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (please do not email personal health information).

**Click here to see available studies**

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

If you are experiencing any mental health difficulties or are in need of services related to sexually transmitted diseases or alcohol or substance use, please refer to this list of local mental health resources. This list provides contact information for numerous organizations that specialize in treatment, rehabilitation and recovery services for those experiencing persistent and severe mental health issues and/or a behavioral health crisis, as well as housing and referral services.

Learn More about Mental Health Resources offered in the Community by downloading the PDF below:
Mental Health Resources PDF in English
Mental Health Resources PDF in Spanish

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) was established in 1993 to provide a forum for basic scientists and clinical investigators to present, discuss, and critique their investigations into the epidemiology and biology of human retroviruses and associated diseases. The synergy of basic science and clinical investigation has been a major contributor to the success of the meeting. CROI has facilitated the presentation of important discoveries in the field, thereby accelerating progress in HIV and AIDS research. As always, the best and most consequential original research in HIV, hepatitis viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and other viral infections and their related conditions defines the science at CROI.

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The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) is conducting research into the effects and treatments of HIV infection and co-occurring conditions (for example, Hepatitis C).

You may be eligible to participate in one or more of these research studies. Benefits of participation vary but may include test results, treatments and/or compensation. All personal information is strictly confidential. Study participation is voluntary.

For further details about any of our studies, please call (619) 543-5000 and ask to speak with a recruiter.

Research Review Conference

Thursday, January 5^th, 2016

9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Call-in Information: Number: (866) 740-1260; Access Code: 5434749

9:30 am                  Proposal: Effect of HIV and smoking on nicotine system function and cardiovascular risk – Brook Henry, PhD, UC San Diego

10:30 am               Publications Update

10:45 am               Current funding opportunities

Upcoming Scientific Meetings and Abstract Deadlines

Current Funding Opportunity Announcements

Future RRC Topics

If you would like to present at an upcoming RRC meeting, please email Dr. Mariana Cherner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ariel Brinkerhoff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Get Involved

• Participate in HIV/AIDS Research
  • HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program - UCSD
  • AntiViral Research Center - UCSD

   

• Donate to AIDS Research Foundations
  • UC San Diego AIDS Research Donation Center

   

• Educate your friends, family and partners
  • AntiViral for Starters Class

   

• Volunteer

• Get Knowledgeable

• Get Safe

• Get Tested

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Get Tested

The sooner you know your status, the quicker you can do something about it.

• The Early Test is offered by UCSD AVRC – contact them at (619) 543-8080 to book advance appointments.

• County Health Services Complex  (Rosecrans) - Blood and rapid testing available
  3851 Rosecrans St., Suite S, San Diego, CA 92110
  (619) 692-8550
      Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays: 7:30 am - 4 pm  
      Wednesdays: 11 am - 7 pm
      Thursday: 10 am - 4 pm

•  Central Region Public Health Center - Blood and rapid testing available
      5202 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
      (619) 229-5400
          Tuesday: 1 pm - 7 pm 
          Friday: 10 am - 4 pm 

•  South Region Public Health Center - Blood testing only
      690 Oxford St. Chula Vista, CA 91911
      (619) 409-3110
          Thursdays: 12 pm–6 pm

•  North Coastal Public Health Center - Blood testing only
      104 South Barnes St., Oceanside, CA 92054
      (760) 967-4401
          Wednesdays: 12:30 pm–7:30 pm

•  San Diego LGBT Community Center
      3909 Centre Street, San Diego, CA 92103
      (619) 692-2077
          Mondays and Wednesdays: 9 am - 2 pm (County of San Diego anonymous HIV testing)
          Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 am - 3:15 pm (UC San Diego HIV Testing)
          Fridays: 9 am - 1:45 pm (UC San Diego HIV Testing)

• Get Knowledgeable

• Get Safe

• Get Involved 

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Get Safe

• Know your own HIV status
• Know your partner’s HIV status
• Create an open communication
• Use condoms (female or male)
• Limit your number of sexual partners
• Talk to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).  PrEP involves taking HIV medication everyday and intended for those who don’t have HIV but are at high risk of acquiring the infection.
• Avoid drugs, which can lead to risky behavior.  If you can’t avoid drugs, don’t share needles.

• Get Knowledgeable

• Get Tested

• Get Involved

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