YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research Education

YRG CARE offers research opportunities in the laboratory, clinical, epidemiological, and social science aspects of HIV/AIDS. Opportunities are sometimes available to do secondary data analyses on patient or community databases. All Scholars are also encouraged to create their own projects and engage in primary data collection. Scholars have also collaborated with mentors at YRG CARE to write case studies and review articles. Finally, since research facilities are in the same building as the outpatient and inpatient hospital, fellows have the opportunity to participate in the clinical care of patients on a daily basis.

Research opportunities:

The NIH-funded clinical research includes the following projects:

• Fogarty AITRP
• NIMH Collaborative HIV/STD Prevention Trial
• Natural History of HIV Disease in IDU Populations
• Stigma among health care workers
• Optimizing HIV Care in Less Developed Countries
• Evaluating the role of Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy (DAART) in conjunction with Opiate Substitution in delivery of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy to HIV-1 infected Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Chennai, India
• HAART associated body composition and metabolic changes in HIV infected patients in South India

More Project Details from the NIH/CRISP database

The details of projects by YRG CARE funded by sources other than NIH include:

• GFATM (Global Fund for AIDS TB and Malaria) - To provide Antiretroviral drugs through graduated cost recovery mechanism
• Reducing Incidence of HIV Infection in Chennai Slums - The objective of the program is to reduce women's vulnerability to HIV and other STI's through community based workshops for women, men, boys and community leaders that challenge gender stereoypes, change social norms, and reshape our relations.
• Project Connect - A project to scale up PPTCT services in Southern India by public/private partnerships.

Housing/Meals/Transportation:

YRG CARE has a well-maintained guest house with all basic amenities and rooms available for use be Scholars immediately upon their arrival. Apart from the Scholars it houses other important visitors and guests from India and abroad who visit YRG CARE. The guest house is situated at around 2.5 miles from the research site and can be easily accessed through taxies and auto-rikshaws.

YRG CARE is situated in a a residential area and there are apartment rentals or paid guest accommodations available within walking distance. Scholars will be helped by the site to secure suitable housing. A nice apartment in this local residential area generally runs approximately US $250 per month. The estimated cost for accommodation, food and transportation would be around US $700-900/month.

Health Issues:

See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site and The Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel.

The FICRS program mandates that all Scholars see a physician prior to their assignment abroad. The site will require a formal letter from your physician stating that you have received the necessary immunizations prior to the start of your fellowship (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, malaria prophylaxis).

Safety Issues:

See the U.S. State Department Web site for information.

Language Requirements:

The local language is Tamil, though most of the employees at the site are conversant in English too. The Scholars might face a certain level of difficulty while traveling in the city due to unfamiliarity of the language. Scholars can find local tutors to learn basic Tamil and Telugu.

What it is like to live in Chennai:

With a population of about 7.6 million people, Chennai is the fourth largest city in India. The city is known for its cultural heritage, including classical Indian dance and theater, and temple architecture. The 12-kilometer Marina Beach on the east coast of the city is one of the longest beaches in the world.

Throughout the year, Chennai average temperatures are 83-100 degrees F for the high and 68-81 degrees F for the low. The city gets most of its monsoon rainfall from September through November.

Chennai offers all the amenities of a major international city, including international and regional Indian cuisine, bars, clubs, and gyms. Chennai is the base for the large Tamil movie industry. There are several movie theaters that show local Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films, in addition to international blockbusters.

Travel throughout the city can be done by auto-rickshaw. Chennai has excellent shopping where one can find contemporary and traditional arts and crafts, clothing, and jewelry.