East Bay AIDS Research Institute (EBARI)
The mission of the East Bay AIDS Research Institute (EBARI) is to advance the scientific understanding of HIV/AIDS in the understudied and underserved populations of the East Bay. EBARI takes a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to addressing the research needs of the HIV affected community. We conduct and disseminate research to support better health outcomes, improve quality of life and help patients meet the challenges of living with HIV/AIDS.
EBARI is a collaboration in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area among the East Bay AIDS Center (EBAC) at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Alameda County Medical Center HIV Services (ACMC) at Highland Hospital, and the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health.
We conduct studies at the sites mentioned above, as well as with collaborators at the University of California, San Francisco and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Contact Us
Sona R. Saha, MPH, Director ()
Jeffrey H. Burack, MD MPP, Principal Investigator ()
Student Research Opportunities
We have hosted several student research assistants and interns, and are committed to EBARI being a research and training endeavor.
Research assistants support several studies concerning persons with HIV/AIDS in the East Bay, including: the clinical, immunological and socioeconomic determinants of late presentation for HIV treatment and care; barriers and facilitators to accessing HIV/AIDS care; and HIV case identification and linkage to care via social network analysis and rapid HIV antibody testing.
Students often assist with patient recruitment for studies, interviewing or administering questionnaires to patients, data management, analysis and presentations.
Please contact Sona Saha at if you are interested in interning with EBARI.
Research Areas
EBARI studies focus on a variety of socio-behavioral and epidemiological studies regarding women’s health, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and access to HIV care, and rapid HIV testing.
Projects include:
- Determinants of Late Presentation for HIV Treatment and Care
- Social Networks Based Rapid HIV Testing and Linkage to Care in the East Bay
- The Role of Social Support and Antiretroviral Adherence Among Women Living with HIV and AIDS
- The Role of Sexuality Among Women Living with HIV and AIDS
- Community Beliefs on HIV Transmission and Treatment
Clinical Trials
EBAC is dedicated to participating in clinical trials for its clientele and also members of the local community. The trials have often focused on new therapies for the treatment of HIV. In more recent years the studies have included vaccines, and long-term safety data collection for the newer classes of drugs. Participation is voluntary and done on site.
Study types include:
- Phase II, III and IV studies for the treatment of HIV disease
- Expanded access studies
- Studies of HIV-related illnesses
- Vaccine studies
- Data collection studies for long-term safety and efficacy
Please contact Jamie Mandelke, RN, ACRN, Clinical Research Coordinator () if you would like more information.