8.15.07 - S.F. AIDS Foundation Commends Appointment of Colfax as Dir. of HIV Prevention & Research

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation today praised the appointment of Dr. Grant Nash Colfax as the new Director of HIV Prevention and Research at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Dr. Colfax, who currently serves as the Co-Director of the Department's HIV Epidemiology Section, will begin in his new role September 4, 2007.

"Dr. Colfax is a leader in community-relevant HIV prevention research," said Mark Cloutier, Executive Director of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "The focus of his research, his work on methamphetamine and its relationship to HIV, as well as his work leading the EXPLORE study, makes Grant a brilliant choice. Grant will further the Department's efforts to conduct rigorous evaluation of programs as well as bring a hands-on approach to working with evidence to improve services and policy."

With more than a decade of experience with many of the populations most vulnerable to HIV, Dr. Colfax is uniquely qualified to lead the HIV Prevention and Research Department.

"Grant will be an excellent addition to the Department of Public Health," said Dr. Steven Tierney of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the former Director of HIV Prevention and Research. "He's committed to evidence-based programs and targeted prevention that works."

Dr. Colfax's research on gay men and substance abuse has received national attention in urban areas struggling to address crystal meth use within their gay communities. He was among the earliest to note the close relationship between meth use and HIV infection, an observation that has informed prevention programs around the country.

"This appointment builds on the San Francisco Department of Public Health's strong record on HIV and AIDS. Dr. Colfax is a rigorous scientist, and a passionate leader who understands San Francisco and the unique challenges of the primary risk groups here. He will bring thoughtful leadership to the Prevention and Research program at DPH. We look forward to working with him to address new challenges of HIV/AIDS in San Francisco," said Cloutier.