About the Center ~ Scientific Membership

The Valley Fever Center for Excellence (VFCE) was established in 1995. Located at the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System's facility (Tucson VA Medical Center), the Center is jointly sponsored by the University of Arizona and the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System. The missions of the VFCE are: to mobilize resources for the eradication of Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis), to develop public awareness and education about Valley Fever, to promote high-quality care for patients with Valley Fever, to pursue and encourage research into all aspects of Coccidioides sp. and the diseases that they cause.

In keeping with our efforts to further these missions, VFCE activities include:

Research has begun on a five year $4.5 million NIH/NIAID funded program project grant titled Host Control in Coccidioidomycosis, consisting of three core projects and three supporting core laboratories. Monthly project meetings include presentations by research personnel.

On November 15, 2005 the VFCE hosted the 10th Annual Farness Lecture in conjunction with the College of Public Health and The Arizona Respiratory Center, as part of the Valley Fever Awareness Week, November 14-20th, 2005. This year’s speaker was Dr Demosthenes Pappagianis, professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at University of California at Davis in Davis, CA. Dr. Pappagianis presented "The Importance of Coccidioidomycosis to the Public Health of the Southwest."

On August 23, 2006 the Sixth Annual Symposium on Coccidioidomycosis was held August 23-27, 2006 Stanford, CA. This event was co-sponsored by the VFCE and Stanford University.

Scientific Membership in the VFCE is open to all scientists, researchers and bio-medical professionals with an active interest in Coccidioidomycosis, who are associated with a university, medical center or governmental health center. Members will receive periodic VFCE Newsletters, the VFCE Annual Report and brochures and reprints. In addition, members will have a forum in which to network with others interested in Coccidioidomycosis and to keep abreast of the latest developments in Coccidioidomycosis research and treatments.

To become a Scientific Member of the VFCE, complete the application and mail or fax it to the VFCE.