News Release

NYU Nursing receives $6.7M NIH grant to continue the center for drug use and HIV research

CDUHR, continually funded since 1998, is the first center for the socio-behavioral study of HIV and substance use in the United States

Grant and Award Announcement

New York University

New York University College of Nursing's Dr. Sherry Deren, Director of the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR), received a five-year, $6.7 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for continued funding (for years 16-20) of the CDUHR. CDUHR has been continually funded since 1998, and it is the first center for the socio-behavioral study of HIV and substance use in the United States.

"We are eager to begin this next phase of our Center," said Deren. "It provides us with the opportunity to continue to assist our affiliated investigators in conducting research on the critical issues in the HIV/substance use epidemic, which continues to take an extraordinary toll on vulnerable populations throughout the world."

CDUHR provides a research infrastructure in support of the work of approximately 50 investigators from four institutions: New York University (NYU), the National Development and Research Institutes, Inc. (NDRI), Beth Israel Medical Center (BIMC) and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice (JJCCJ). Center leadership is also provided by its Deputy Director, Dr. Marya Gwadz of the NYU College of Nursing.

While much has been learned about HIV epidemiology, prevention, intervention and treatment among those who use drugs and other vulnerable populations, there is an increasing need to enhance implementation of research findings to impact public health.

CDUHR's theme in this renewal period will be: "Discovery to Implementation and Back: Research Translation for the HIV/Substance Use Epidemic." Center efforts will focus on enhancing the translation and implementation of our investigators' research findings to maximize their public health impact. In addition, the Center will continue to address the emerging challenges of the epidemic.

"Our emphasis on implementation will accelerate the utilization of CDUHR's research findings for public health impact," said Deren. "We are also delighted that our interdisciplinary Core members are drawn from our four affiliated institutions, including several of the schools and colleges at NYU."

CDUHR's multidisciplinary core team provides consultation and training for our affiliated investigators in several areas:

  • Research methods, led by Holly Hagan, PhD, with Marya Gwadz, PhD, Charles Cleland, PhD, Ann Kurth, PhD, Michele Shedlin, PhD, and Noelle Leonard, PhD, from the NYU College of Nursing, and Don Des Jarlais, PhD, from BIMC.

  • Theory development and synthesis, directed by Samuel Friedman, PhD, from NDRI, with David Perlman, MD, from BIMC, and Kirk Dombrowski, PhD from JJCCJ.

  • Infectious diseases and biomedical issues, led by David Perlman, MD, with Don Des Jarlais, PhD, from BIMC and Madeline Naegle, PhD, from the NYU College of Nursing.

    The Center renewal grant allows for the addition of two new areas of focus:

  • Comparative effectiveness research, led by Scott Braithwaite, MD, MSc, with Jason Kessler, MD, MPH, and Jennifer Uyei, PhD, of the NYU School of Medicine

  • Pilot projects and mentoring, led by Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, of the NYU Silver School of Social Work, with Sherry Deren, PhD.

CDUHR has evolved since 1998, due to changes in the epidemic and consequent changes in the research questions regarding the HIV/substance use epidemic in New York City, nationally and globally. The Center started with a focus on individual-level risk behaviors, moved to addressing the study of social/structural-level factors influencing the epidemic , then to an emphasis on interdisciplinary research and in this renewal, to addressing implementation of research findings.

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For more information on CDUHR, visit the website cduhr.org

About New York University College of Nursing: NYU College of Nursing is a global leader in nursing education, research, and practice. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Arts and Post-Master's Certificate Programs, a Doctor of Philosophy in Research Theory and Development, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. For more information, visit http://www.nyu.edu/nursing.


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