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About

The San Diego Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is one of several Centers funded by the National Institutes of Health to further HIV research in U.S. academic institutions.

The San Diego Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is becoming a regional resource in HIV research and education. Established in 1994 through a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the CFAR has supported laboratory scientists, clinicians, and the public for over two decades.

We presently have nine service areas, or cores, that provide unique laboratory and clinical resources. We also offer several internal grants throughout the year and sponsor scientific seminars on HIV-related topics, as well as public health seminars with an emphasis on HIV. Most seminars are open to the public, and many speakers allow us to share their slides for download.

Our Center is managed by an Executive Committee, an External Advisory Committee, and an administrative team. While these committees guide the Center’s direction, we welcome constructive input from our members.

Full CFAR membership is open to faculty at UC San Diego and five other local research institutions. Community membership is available to staff and individuals with an interest in HIV research. Our community includes members as far away as Nigeria and India. Please visit our Membership page for more information.

We invite you to explore our site, review our core facilities, learn about our grant opportunities, and stay informed through our news updates. We welcome your membership and support. If you have questions, please contact us.

Learn more about the Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its supporting Institutes.


Mission

The mission of the SD CFAR is to drive HIV discoveries and foster cutting-edge research by San Diego investigators to improve the lives of people with HIV and prevent new infections locally and globally.

SD CFAR supports basic, clinical, behavioral, and translational research programs across member institutions and advances the development of early-stage investigators, including scientists new to HIV research.

Research Focus and Objectives

The SD CFAR promotes scientific and clinical studies in HIV and fosters innovative research strategies to advance priorities in:

  • Preventing new infections
  • Optimizing HIV care
  • Developing a cure for those living with HIV

The overall objective of the SD CFAR is to make a meaningful impact on HIV research by supporting local investigators through efficient, collaborative, and innovative strategies. We accomplish this through:

  • Basic research in molecular pathogenesis and immunopathogenesis
  • Translating basic research insights into pre-clinical and clinical trials of therapies and vaccines
  • Advancing clinical research to address fundamental scientific and medical challenges
  • Providing regional leadership to coordinate and stimulate collaborative HIV research efforts

Guiding Principles

Our Center operates under the following guiding principles:

  • Be clear: Effective communication strengthens collaboration across institutions.
  • Be strategic: Thoughtful planning maximizes growth and impact.
  • Engage: Community input improves Center activities and research outcomes.
  • Be responsible: Fiscal and personal responsibility sustain trust and longevity.
  • Nurture: Supporting new investigators drives discovery and progress.
  • Be transparent: Clear processes build trust among members.
  • Be efficient: Optimal use of resources expands opportunity.
  • Be ethical: Ethical conduct underpins research excellence.
  • Be just: Community engagement strengthens HIV research outcomes.
  • Be curious: Continuous learning opens new paths to discovery.
  • Empower: Encourage sustainability of HIV research locally and globally.
  • Work together: Collaborative teams achieve more than individuals.

Compliance and Policy

All programs and initiatives coordinated by the SD CFAR comply fully with Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy.

More information about Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy is available through official UC resources.

Contact Us

Email:
Email is the best way to reach us:
cfar@ucsd.edu

Mailing Address:
San Diego Center for AIDS Research
University of California San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0716
La Jolla, CA 92093-0716