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Penn Center for AIDS Research

The Penn Center for AIDS Research (Penn CFAR) is one of 19 NIH-funded CFARs and includes HIV and AIDS investigators at the University of Pennsylvania, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), and the Wistar Institute.

Our mission is to support and advance research in all areas of HIV/AIDS on the Penn/CHOP/Wistar campus and in the Philadelphia region by:

  • catalyzing innovative collaborative AIDS research through working groups, outreach, partnerships on campus, regionally, and internationally
  • providing education through seminars, courses, and workshops
  • developing new HIV/AIDS investigators and research programs through pilot funding, mentorship, and partnership programs
  • providing cutting-edge research support through innovative shared resource cores that offer unique services, materials, technical education and assistance, and collaborative support
  • providing strategic planning on campus with campus, regional, and national HIV/AIDS research leadership

Penn CFAR Cores include the Clinical Core, Virus & Reservoirs Technology Core, Molecular & Translational Immunotechnology Core, Biostatistics & Data Science Core, Community Research & Engagement Core, Implementation Science Core, and International Core.

Upcoming Events

HIV Grand Rounds

Every Thursday

12:00 – 1:00 PM EST

HIV / Pathogenesis CURE Journal Club

Every Other Thursday

1:30- 3:00 pm, Room 501, Johnson Pavilion

CFAR Seminar Series

Recent News

Save the Date for the 2024 Penn CFAR Scientific Symposium

2024 Penn CFAR Scientific Symposium Ending the HIV Epidemic: Innovation and Implementation Path to an HIV vaccine, and getting prevention & treatment to the community   Friday, October 18th, 2024 8:00 am – 5:30 pm Click here for more information!

Ron Collman receives the Philadelphia AIDS Fund “Fierce & Fabulous Award” on behalf of the Penn CFAR

Penn CFAR Director Dr. Ron Collman will receive the Philadelphia AIDS Fund “Fierce & Fabulous Award” on behalf of the Penn CFAR, to be presented at Black Tie Gay Bingo on April 6, 2024. This award celebrates a hero who has significantly contributed to the Philadelphia HIV/AIDS and/or LGBTQ+ communities. “Keeping the fight against AIDS … Continue reading Ron Collman receives the Philadelphia AIDS Fund “Fierce & Fabulous Award” on behalf of the Penn CFAR

Penn Mental Health AIDS Research Center 2025 Pilot Award Program

 Penn Mental Health AIDS Research Center – 2025 Pilot Award Program  1-Page Concepts Due May 15, 2024  The Penn Mental Health AIDS Research Center (PMHARC) supports innovative research at the intersection of HIV and mental health. We invite 1-page concepts for studies with clear potential to lead to larger funded research. Selected applicants will be … Continue reading Penn Mental Health AIDS Research Center 2025 Pilot Award Program

Passing of Pediatric Immunologist, AIDS research leader and CFAR Investigator Dr. Steven Douglas

Penn CFAR researcher Steven D. Douglas, MD, passed away on March 13, 2024. A faculty member at CHOP and PSOM since 1980, Dr. Douglas was a giant in the field of pediatric immunology for over 50 years, a leader in research to improve the care of children with HIV/AIDS for nearly 40 years, and for the past … Continue reading Passing of Pediatric Immunologist, AIDS research leader and CFAR Investigator Dr. Steven Douglas

Harsha Thirumurthy, PhD wins the 2024 Faculty Prize in Global Health

Harsha Thirumurthy, PhD, Professor, Medical Ethics & Health Policy and Co-Director, Behavioral Economics and Global Health Insights Lab, has been awarded the 2024 Faculty Prize in Global Health In 2021, Penn alum Robert Suskind, MD (C’59, M’63) and his wife, Leslie Lewinter-Suskind, MSS, MFA, generously endowed an annual award for a PSOM faculty member who … Continue reading Harsha Thirumurthy, PhD wins the 2024 Faculty Prize in Global Health

Drew Weissman and Katalin Kariko win the 2023 Nobel Prize

Drs. Katalin Karikó and HIV researcher Drew Weissman of the Perelman School of Medicine have been named winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They were recognized for their foundational research that led to mRNA vaccines. Their collaboration began in 1998 as an attempt to develop an HIV vaccine.

Our Focus

Cores