New Center Provides Resources for HIV-Related Stigma Research
The National Institute of Mental Health has awarded Stefan Baral, MD, professor of Epidemiology, a $2.8 million, four-year P30 Center Core grant for the creation of the Center for HIV and Mental Health Stigma Elimination Strategies (CHIMES). The Center will provide resources to researchers whose focus is measuring and reducing HIV-related stigma and its impact on mental health.
“We are excited about the opportunities that CHIMES will bring to students and faculty in the Department of Epidemiology and other departments across the school in supporting pilot projects, grant writing support, and even open-access fees for papers for stigma-related projects,” said Baral.
A collaboration between the Bloomberg School of Public Health and Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, CHIMES is comprised of four cores, each with a specific aim:
Administrative Core: Build local and global capacity to measure and respond to stigma as a risk for suboptimal mental health and HIV outcomes.
Measurement Core: Improve the measurement of attribute-specific and intersectional stigmas on mental health and HIV.
Intervention Core: Increase the quantity and quality of interventions addressing stigma and structural determinants of risk.
Development Core: Support the proliferation of science in measuring and responding to stigma and structural determinants.
Sheree Schwartz, PhD, associate scientist in Epidemiology, is the Development Core director for the Center. Kalai Robinson, senior research program manager in Epidemiology, will serve as CHIMES manager supporting faculty and students with grant reviews, conference travel, and research paper support.
Together, these cores provide a wide range of free services to researchers, including analytical data access; mentorship for early-stage investigators; consulting services; technical support in research design, program development, and grant writing. Through CHIMES, investigators are welcome to contribute to collaborative, community-engaged conversations enabling pathways for idea generation; disseminate findings; and facilitate partnerships.
An online form highlights specific services available across CHIMES and provides the option to sign up for CHIMES updates.
Questions about the Center can be sent to CHIMES@jhu.edu
