As we enter the fourth decade of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the impact on vulnerable populations remains one of the most pressing social welfare concerns of our time. Recognizing that disparities in HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) result from a complex interplay of biological, behavioral, and structural factors that confer unequal opportunities for risk and protection, it is now widely accepted that effective HIV/STI prevention must address the synergy between these key elements and as such, must be interdisciplinary. In addition, the importance of strong research-community partnerships across all levels of the research process cannot be overstated, as it is estimated that effective interventions only reach 1% of their targeted populations.

The STI and HIV Intervention Network (SHINE) was developed to conduct innovative multidisciplinary problem-solving research to reduce the disproportionate impact of STIs and HIV on vulnerable populations. The network focuses specifically on populations for whom few effective HIV/STI interventions currently exist, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), criminal justice-affected populations, minority youth, and young couples. The specific aims of SHINE are:

1. To establish a sustainable interdisciplinary network of HIV/STI prevention scientists and community partners focused on the development and dissemination of impactful, problem-solving research on HIV/STI prevention. 
2. To conduct innovative interdisciplinary biomedical, behavioral, and structural intervention research aimed at reducing existing HIV/STI disparities in vulnerable populations.

SHINE was created by SSA faculty members Dexter Voisin, PhD (Principal Investigator), Alida Bouris, PhD and Matthew Epperson, PhD (Co-Principal Investigators), and comprises a core network of scholars representing the fields of social work, psychology, public health, nursing, health studies and medicine. Core network members include:

	Alida Bouris, PhD	University of Chicago SSA
	Richard Crosby, PhD	University of Kentucky
	Ralph DiClemente, PhD	Emory University
	Matthew Epperson, PhD	University of Chicago SSA
	Maria Khan, PhD	University of Florida
	Stuart Michaels, PhD	NORC at the University of Chicago
	LaRon Nelson, PhD	University of Toronto
	Laura Salazar, PhD	Georgia State University
	John Schneider, MD	University of Chicago
	Dexter Voisin, PhD	University of Chicago SSA

As SHINE expands a growing number of community partners will be added to the network. SHINE is pleased to welcome Children’s Place Association of Chicago as its inaugural community partner. If you are interested in joining SHINE as a community partner, please contact Dexter Voisin for further information.