These samples will be used for research studies of genes that may be associated with these conditions. To make a referral of a patient or family, or for more information, contact Nanette H. Bishopric, M.D., at n.bishopric@miami.edu; Todd Miller, Ph.D., at t.miller@miami.edu; Lisa Baumbach, Ph.D., at lbaumbac@med.miami.edu; or call 305-243-3435.

The AIDS Clinical Research Unit, directed by Margaret A. Fischl, M.D., professor of medicine, is looking for individuals with HIV-1 infection who have never received antiretroviral therapy, are on stable antiretroviral therapy and doing well, and are on antiretroviral therapy and not responding, for a variety of clinical studies, including the investigation of IL2, therapeutic HIV-1 vaccines and several new investigational antiretroviral agents. For more information, contact Juan Caruso at 305-243-3838 or Leslie Thompson at l.Thompson@miami.edu.

The SPARE Study (Soy Phytoestrogens As Replacement Estrogen) is currently recruiting women between 45-58 years of age to study the role of soy phytoestrogens given in tablet form to prevent bone loss. Participants will be given a physical exam at study entry, an annual mammogram and bone density test, and will be asked to come for 10 study visits over a period of two years for blood tests and to complete questionnaires about diet, exercise, and well-being. Interested women should contact the SPARE Study Office at 305-243-4330.

The Center for Family Studies Healthy Women’s Program is recruiting HIV+ women over age 18 who have been in residential drug treatment recently. The study is designed to increase adherence to HIV medication, prevent drug use relapse, reduce risky behaviors and improve family communications. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Samantha Ross at 305-243-8149 or Grisel Cisneros at 305-243-1786 for more information.  

Researchers at the MRI Center need healthy subjects for a magnetic resonance imaging study. For more information please visit http://midas.med.miami.edu/Research/MRStudies.htm.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPLIANCE?
TWO UM HELPLINES CAN ASSIST YOU
Research integrity concerns? Report concerns regarding research integrity and adherence to federal or University regulations directly to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at 305-243-6415, or you can call the University's toll-free, anonymous compliance hotline at 866-YOURCALL. Billing concerns? Address questions to the Office of Billing Compliance at 305-243-HELP or 877-415-HELP. For information regarding training programs offered by the Office of Billing Compliance, contact Gemma Romillo or Nancy Rivero at 305-243-5842.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

LANDON-AACR PRIZES FOR BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH
The Landon-American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Prizes recognize outstanding scientists who have made seminal basic and translational cancer research discoveries that have accelerated progress against cancer. Each prize recipient will
receive an unrestricted cash award of $200,000, give a scientific presentation at the 96th AACR Annual Meeting, and participate in a symposium at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. For more information about the prizes and how to nominate a worthy colleague, visit http://www.aacr.org. The deadline for nominations is August 10.

FREE WELLNESS "LUNCHTIME LEARNING" SESSION
Jennifer Pinto, M.S. Ed., assistant director for employee wellness, will present "Simple and Practical Tips for Recognizing the Best Eating Plan for YOUR BODY" on Thursday, August 12, from noon to 1 p.m. The session, to be held in the Professional Training and Development Classroom, suite 155, in the Dominion Parking Garage, will help you identify your personal high-energy and vitality-draining foods, show you how to recognize potential food sensitivities and allergies, pinpoint which foods are known to stockpile pesticides and chemicals, and reveal the truth about vitamin supplements. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, August 10, to 305-243-3209. Seating is limited. Bring your own lunch—drinks will be provided.

CALL FOR SCIENTIFIC POSTER SESSION
All faculty and other interested professionals are invited to participate in the Center on Aging's 2004 Scientific Poster Session to be held September 24. Those interested in presenting a poster should first submit a one page abstract (limit 250 words) to Dr. Carl Eisdorfer via e-mail at: ceisdorf@med.miami.edu or by fax to 305-355-9099. The deadline for submission is August 27.

THE DALAI LAMA TO VISIT FOR SERIES OF LECTURES AND TEACHINGS
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzen Gyatso will lead a series of teachings on Buddhist spiritual practices at the University’s Convocation Center, located at 1245 Walsh Avenue, Coral Gables, on Monday, September 20, and Tuesday, September 21. It will be the first time that he conducts these particular teachings, which include The Teachings on the Instructions on the Garland of Views and Long Life Empowerment.  These teachings are open to the public. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster at a later date. Additionally, the Dalai Lama will address the University community on A Human Approach to World Peace on Wednesday, September 22, at 3 p.m. at the UM Convocation Center.  During this event, the Dalai Lama will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters in recognition of his role as both a spiritual and world leader. This event is free and is open to UM students, faculty, staff, and guests only. For more information on this event, visit www.miami.edu/dalailama. The Dalai Lama’s extended visit to South Florida is his last appearance in the U.S. for 2004, and the University has partnered with Osel Dorje Nyingpo (ODN), a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of Tantric Vajrayana Buddhism and World Peace, to sponsor the events on UM’s Coral Gables campus.  Updated information on the Dalai Lama’s South Florida visit will be available at www.dalailamamiami.com. For information on obtaining tickets for the Dalai Lama’s public address or teachings, please call ODN at 305-460-3363 or via email at hhdlmiami@odn-usa.org, or visit ODN’s website at www.odn-usa.org.  For security purposes, no bags or cameras will be allowed into the UM Convocation Center.  All dates and times are subject to change.