Statement about The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center Affiliation with The Rockefeller University

3. When did Center scientists begin to conduct clinical trials at Rockefeller University?
The clinical program of the Diamond Center began in the spring of 1994, using the
General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at Bellevue Hospital. However, when the Diamond
Center wished to expand its clinical program, NYU was unable to provide space unless it had
scientific and financial control. The Diamond Center thus began clinical trials at the Rockefeller
University Hospital in early 1995. The Diamond Center completed its last clinical trial at NYU
in 1995.
4. What would be the nature of the affiliation between the Diamond Center and Rockefeller
University?
Pending approval of the board of trustees of The Rockefeller University, which will
meet on June 13, 1996, the two organizations will have an affiliation that includes the use of The
Rockefeller University Hospital for Diamond Center clinical studies. At their March 20, 1996
meeting, The Rockefeller University board of trustees approved the faculty appointment of
David D. Ho, M.D., the scientific director and chief executive officer of the Diamond Center.
Other Diamond Center scientists will soon be proposed for Rockefeller University faculty
appointments. The two organizations will remain financially independent.
5. Who from the Center faculty and staff will get Rockefeller University appointments? Will
Diamond Center scientists retain appointments at NYU?
When the Diamond Center association with NYU is dissolved, Center scientists
presently holding NYU academic appointments will review their positions. Under an
affiliation with Rockefeller University, the Diamond Center staff investigators are being
considered for Rockefeller University faculty positions. The Rockefeller University board of
trustees has approved the faculty appointment of David Ho, M.D., the Diamond Center
scientific director and chief executive officer. Dr. Ho has the rank of professor.
6. Who supports the Diamond Center's research? How will an affiliation with Rockefeller
University affect this funding?
In addition to the Aaron Diamond Foundation, the Diamond Center has received
funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Cancer
Institute, two parts of the U.S. government's National Institutes of Health, and from the
Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the American Foundation for AIDS Research. For fiscal year
1995, the Diamond Center received $5 million in government grants and $1.4 million in nongovernmental grants, totaling $6.4 million for research.
Although the two organizations plan to affiliate, the Diamond Center and Rockefeller
University will remain financially independent. The Diamond Center will continue its
associations with the New York City Department of Health and the Public Health Research
Institute.
7. Torsten Wiesel, M.D., president of Rockefeller University, is chairman of the Diamond
Center board of directors. Did his joint affiliation play a role in the Diamond Center coming
to Rockefeller University? Is this a conflict of interest?
When the Diamond Center board of directors asked Dr. Wiesel, a board member, to
serve as chairman, he minuted that he would excuse himself from any decisions that appeared
to have a conflict of interest. The board of trustees of The Rockefeller University approved Dr.
Wiesel's affiliation and position on the Diamond Center board.