Program Overview

Summer 2024, SHARE will welcome a cohort of six scholars into its program. Each of these scholars will conduct a focused research project under the mentorship of experienced faculty.

The research project will be jointly selected by the scholar and their mentor(s) in one of four priority HIV research areas:

1. Health disparities
2. Social determinants of health
3. Prevention and care continuum
4. Comorbidities

Scholars will also attend a series of weekly seminars on topics including research design and methods, HIV prevention approaches, substance use and mental health research, professional development, health and racial equity, and possible research careers. Scholars will also have opportunities to shadow existing research studies and participate in social and networking events with other scholars, as well as minority young investigators from local academic institutions. After completing the program, scholars will present their research study (to be prepared also for publication) and are encouraged to continue interacting with each other and future cohorts through the MySHARE portal, a social media and learning website.

Research Opportunities

At the beginning of the summer program, scholars will be matched with a “Science Mentor” who conducts research related to your interests. You will join the mentor’s research team as a contributing team member.

• Using existing data from mentors or from other sources, scholars will address a research question they would like to see answered.
• Prepare and deliver a presentation of the findings to fellow scholars and the SHARE team members at the end of the summer intensive.
• With support from mentors, scholars will prepare a manuscript describing your research findings for submission to peer-reviewed journals, and/or to present at national or international conferences.
• The research project will be jointly selected by the scholar and their mentor in one of four priority HIV research areas:
  • health disparities
  • social determinants of health
  • prevention and care continuum
  • comorbidities

Didactic Activities: Knowledge and Skills

Didactics consists of a lecture series (e.g., HIV-SUD research themes) and Research Educational Seminars (e.g., Research processes).  The lecture series and seminars will enhance knowledge of topics and methods used in research and HIV/SUD-related topics, will provide a structure to help scholars with tasks related to their research projects, and will serve as a forum for scholars to discuss progress on their research projects.  Professional and Career Enrichment consists of Professional development seminars (e.g., Research ethics) and Skills development workshops (e.g., Manuscript development). Some examples include:

Collaboration and Networking

• Scholars will gather for a career networking lunch, which alternates between inviting a recent graduate from an HIV training program for underrepresented minorities and a Latino faculty member who has an independent research program.
• Scholars will be able to find a mentor with whom they would like to work, build their network by connecting with other scholars, and chat in real time with others in their network.
• Networking webinar in which former and current SHARE Scholars, SHARE science and career mentors will have the opportunity to share each of their ongoing experiences