Workshop :Statistical Methods in HIV Vaccine Trial Design and Evaluation

New Enterprise-OCTAVE Workshop for Latin American Young and Early Career Investigators:

Statistical Methods in HIV Vaccine Trial Design and Evaluation
17-18 March 2011 São Paulo, Brazil

The Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise and the OCTAVE Project (Online Collaborative Training for AIDS Vaccine Evaluation), in close collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Health (Department of STD, AIDS and Viral Hepatitis and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - FIOCRUZ) and the University of São Paulo- USP, is offering a new regional workshop blending online and face-to-face learning for young and early-career investigators (YECIs) from Latin America and is soliciting applications. This two-day workshop focuses on key statistical and epidemiologic methods applied to the design of early and late stage vaccine trial design.

The HIV vaccine field has entered a new phase of discovery as we probe correlates of protection from a partially effective vaccine regimen evaluated in Thailand, explore novel antibodies capable of neutralizing a majority of circulating viral strains, and design new trials to evaluate a variety of different vaccine concepts.  Scientific talent from Latin America is critical to this effort.  We have organized a multi-disciplinary learning opportunity with global experts in HIV trial design.  Through this workshop, participants will:

• Review fundamental statistical and clinical trial design concepts relevant to vaccine evaluation;
• Understand the activities of Data Safety and Monitoring Boards;
• Describe findings from RV144 and explore the approach to define correlates of vaccine protection;
• Consider new ways to design studies that aim to evaluate combination HIV prevention strategies (e.g., vaccines and pre-exposure prophylaxis).

Since 2004, OCTAVE has developed learning opportunities for YECIs that incorporate eLearning and interactive, face-to-face workshops. A customized web-portal will allow YECIs to access up-to-date learning resources in advance of the workshop beginning the morning of 17 March 2011 through 18 March 2011 in São Paulo, Brazil.

We encourage highly qualified early-career clinical investigators, statisticians and epidemiologists from Latin America within 10 years of completing their terminal degree/training program to submit a CV and a 250-500 word statement of interest to yeci@vaccineenterprise.org. The deadline for applications is January 20, 2011. In your statement of interest, please describe your area of research and how this workshop will support your future work in the HIV vaccine field.

Up to 30 scholars will be selected from Brazil and other countries in Latin America.  Online materials will be provided in English; simultaneous translation of lectures into Portuguese will be available during the workshop.  All costs of travel and accommodation will be covered through the workshop.

This workshop is supported by the NIH Office of AIDS Research, the Government of Canada, the Brazilian Ministry of Health (Department of STD, AIDS and Viral Hepatitis and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - FIOCRUZ) and the University of São Paulo - USP. The Capacity-building series is a program of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, a unique alliance of independent organizations around the world dedicated to accelerating the development of a preventive HIV vaccine.