Programs
 The Center currently includes five highly regarded HIV investigators conducting basic and translational research, and their technical staff. Dr. Hildreth, the Center Director, is an internationally known AIDS scientist working todevelop a “chemical condom” (microbicide) to prevent HIV transmission in women. Dr. Waldemar Popik is investigating the mechanisms by which HIV buds from cells. His work may lead to new approaches for preventing the spread of the virus within the human body. Dr. Bindong Liu is researching the body’s natural immunity to AIDS through proteins called host restriction factors. His investigations will include studies on why these proteins do not appear to function as well in African Americans. Dr. Donald Alcendor is studying HIV related cancers in minority populations. He is also studying the basis for pre-disposition of African American women to vaginal bacterial infections that promote HIV transmission. Dr. Xinhong Dong is exploring the proteins that HIV uses to attach to cells prior to infecting them. Understanding how the proteins work may lead to ways of blocking them. These investigators are using state of the art technology in multidisciplinary research designed to identify new targets for drugs and new strategies for AIDS prophylaxis.
 A major emphasis of the Center’s research is to understand the motivations behind risky behaviors that may put minorities more at risk for HIV infection than the population as a whole. Factors that may be examined in these studies include depression, coping styles, drug and alcohol abuse, childhood sexual abuse, education, social environments, and belief systems. Recruitment of a senior behavioral research scientist to lead these programs is currently underway.
 The Center is working to establish strong community-outreach programs, especially partnerships with faith-based organizations. Through these partnerships, the Center intends to more effectively promote public education regarding AIDS prevention and to initiate strategies that will break the cycle of HIV transmission in minority populations. The partnerships developed through this focus will facilitate future community participation in, and awareness of, HIV research and the recruitment of individuals for clinical research programs at Meharry
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Center for AIDS Health Disparities