Dr. Natella Rakhmanina Joins DC CFAR Developmental Core as Co-Director | |
We are proud to announce that Dr. Natella Rakhmanina has been named as a Co-Director of the DC CFAR Developmental Core. Dr. Rakhmanina is the institutional representative of Children's National Hospital on the DC CFAR Executive Committee, and is a well-established HIV researcher and exceptional mentor who will bring clinical HIV expertise to the Developmental Core.
Dr. Rakhmanina is a Professor of Pediatrics at GW and the Director of the HIV Program at Children’s National Hospital having provided care for HIV-infected and HIV-exposed infants, children and adolescents for more than 20 years. Dr. Rakhmanina is the Site PI of the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN) at Children's, a Senior Technical Advisor in the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatrics AIDS Foundation, Chair of the Committee on Pediatric AIDS at the American Academy of Pediatrics, member of the HHS Panel on Pediatric Antiretroviral Therapy and Management Guidelines, and a member of the Pediatric Advisory Working Group at the World Health Organization.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Rakhmanina as she joins the leadership team of the DC CFAR Developmental Core.
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REGISTER: DC CFAR SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM 2023 | |
The DC CFAR is proud to announce the Return of the DC CFAR Scientific Symposium - 2023! The Symposium will be held on Tuesday, October 10 from 9:00 am-3:30 pm in the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health Convening Center. This is the first large in-person event that the DC CFAR has hosted since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, and we hope that it will serve as a meaningful and memorable gathering of HIV investigators and community members in DC. This event will be held in-person with a virtual option on Zoom. Due to limited capacity, preference for in-person attendance will be given to DC CFAR Investigators, Community Partnership Council members, and NIH guests. After registering, your RSVP will be confirmed by a member of the DC CFAR staff. The working agenda can be viewed here.
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Dr. Amanda Castel Joins DC CFAR Adminstrative Core as Co-Director |
We are excited to announce that Dr. Amanda Castel is joining the Administrative Core as DC CFAR Co-Director. Dr. Castel is a highly regarded and experienced investigator whose expertise will contribute greatly to helping the DC CFAR address its mission of ending the HIV epidemic in DC and beyond.
Dr. Castel is a Professor of Epidemiology and Pediatrics at GW, a Certified HIV Clinical Specialist, PI of the DC Cohort, DC CFAR Executive Committee member, and Academic Lead of the Ending the Epidemic Scientific Working Group. Dr. Castel is nationally recognized for her scientific contributions in the fight against the HIV and COVID-19 pandemics, her numerous HIV publications and scientific presentations, service on three CFAR External Advisory Boards, a previous member of the NIAID AIDS Research Advisory Council (ARAC), and as a Commissioner of the Lancet HIV-IAPAC Commission on the Future of Urban HIV Responses.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Castel on her new role as a DC CFAR Co-Director
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Multiple DC CFAR Investigators were featured in an article in the Washington Post regarding access to Long Acting Injectable (LAI) PrEP here in DC.
The article discusses the distribution of LAI PrEP at DC CFAR Partner Institution, Whitman Walker and their newly opened Max Robinson Center in SE DC.
Several DC CFAR Investigators were interviewed for the story, including Institutional Representative from DC Health, Ms. Clover Barnes, Dr. Maranda Ward (GW), and Dr. Rupa Patel (WW).
Read the full story here.
[Access to this article may need a subscription to the Washington Post]
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New Publication from Dr. Nina Yamanis on HIV Risk in Out-of-School Adolescent Girls and Young Women |
Dr. Thespina (Nina) Yamanis (AU), Social and Behavioral Sciences Associate Core Director, published an article in the Journal of AIDS and Behavior this month entitled, "Reaching Out-of-school Adolescent Girls and Young Women at Risk for HIV Through Their Social Networks."
The article identifies factors that contribute this population at increased risk through a mixed-methods study, contributes to the academic literature of increased HIV risk within this populations, and the potential of using social networks for HIV prevention interventions.
For more information, please reach out to Nina Yamanis (yamanis@american.edu).
Please read the full article here.
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New Publications from DC CFAR Investigator, Dr. Jeffrey Bethony |
Dr. Jeffrey Bethony (GW) and colleagues developed a protocol paper entitled "Ultrasound-guided lymph node fine-needle aspiration for evaluating post-vaccination germinal center responses in humans" that was featured in STAR Protocols, an open-access peer-reviewed protocol journal from Cell Press.
This work builds on Dr. Bethony's pilot award from 2017 looking at advances in HIV vaccines that focus on inducing “broadly neutralizing antibodies” (bNAbs).
Dr. Bethony also noted that these protocols were key in supporting the work in two subsequent manuscripts entitled, "A first-in-human germline-targeting HIV nanoparticle vaccine induced broad and publicly targeted helper T cell responses" featured in Science Translational Medicine, and "Vaccination induces HIV broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in humans" featured in Science.
Please use the links above to read the full papers.
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Do you have an event you would like to see included in the next edition of the Community Spotlight? We invite any news or updates from the DC CFAR community and encourage you to send information that may be of interest to CFARinDC@gmail.com.
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First Annual Maryland HIV and Aging Summit (Maryland Coalition on HIV & Aging)
October 13, 2023
Baltimore, MD
14th International Workshop on HIV and Aging 2023 - (Registration and Call for Abstracts)
October 26-27, 2023
Washington, DC
NEW – International Conference on Stigma 2023 (Registration Now Open and Call for Abstracts)
November 11-17, 2023
Washington, DC
CROI: Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections 2024 (Abstract Submission here)
March 3-6, 2024
Denver, CO
Save the Date – National 2024 Ryan White Conference on HIV & Treatment (AIDSWatch)
March 17-19, 2024
Washington, DC
2024 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment
August 20-23, 2024
For more DC CFAR events please see the calendar here.
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FUNDING, TRAINING, & MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES/SEMINARS | |
NEW – Post-Doctoral (T32) Training Program in Ending the HIV Epidemic – Application Open at Emory University
Emory Training Program in Translational Research to End the HIV Epidemic is now accepting applications to fill postdoctoral slots for January and July 2024. The program will offer a continuous rolling application and deadlines will vary depending on the intended start date. More information here.
NEW – Book Event with author Dr. Kevin De Cock: "Dispatches from the AIDS Pandemic: A Public Health Story" – (Hybrid)
Please join the Center for AIDS Research as we welcome authors Kevin De Cock, Harold Jaffe, and Jim Curran, who will be discussing their recently published book, “Dispatches from the AIDS Pandemic: A Public Health Story.” Monday, October 2nd 12:15 – 1:15 PM ET, BSPH, Paige Hall (W2030).
NEW – NIDA HIV Seminar Series: "Long-Acting ART for Vulnerable Populations: Practical Considerations"
The next installment of the NIDA HIV Seminar Series, taking place on Wednesday, October 25, at 11:00 a.m. EDT and featuring researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Dr. Monica Gandhi, Director of the UCSF Center for AIDS Research, and Dr. Katerina Christopoulos, Professor of Medicine in Residence.
"Wondering If I’d Get There Quicker If I Was a Man: Factors Contributing to Delayed Academic Advancement of Women in Infectious Diseases” – Seminar by Rustbelt CFAR Sex and Gender Scientific Working Group
The Sex and Gender Scientific Working Group of the Rustbelt Center for AIDS Research is excited to invite you to a journal club discussion of the article “Wondering If I’d Get There Quicker If I Was a Man: Factors Contributing to Delayed Academic Advancement of Women in Infectious Diseases” led by Dr. Sara Gianella Weibel, MD and Dr. Darcy Wooten MD, MS at 3PM ET on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
HIV & Implementation Science Fellowship (2023-2024) Joint Fellowship in Sociostructural Determinants of Health (SDoH) & IS by the MACC IS Hub @ Johns Hopkins
On behalf of the Mid-Atlantic CFAR Consortium (MACC+) Implementation Science Hub at
Johns Hopkins University and the inter-CFAR Implementation Science Working Group,
we are welcoming applications for our fifth cohort of the NIH/NIAID-funded training opportunity
in implementation science (IS) for early-stage investigators (ESIs) engaging in HIV-related
research. Apply here, by October 8th, 2023.
ADVANCE Predoctoral T32 Training Program to Promote Diversity in Health Disparities Research, Preventive Interventions, and Methodology (T32, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) and participating Institutes, Centers, and Offices are inviting applications to develop T32 programs to train predoctoral scholars from diverse backgrounds in all three of the following areas: Health disparities/health equity research, Development and implementation of multi-level preventive interventions, and Methods for the design and analysis of studies to evaluate multi-level preventive interventions. See full announcement here.
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OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, NEWS, AND RESOURCES
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NEW – Hablamos de TI Study (Now Recruiting Providers and Patient Interviews)
Owen Smith, RN PhD Candidate from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is recruiting medical/psychosocial service providers working with Latino immigrant men living with HIV (LIMWH) and LIMWH themselves to participate in his dissertation study: Hablemos de TI. The Hablemos de TI study is focused on understanding the perspectives of LIMWH regarding their experiences with interpersonal trauma, emotional support, and engagement in HIV care. Interviews with providers and LIMWH will be conducted in either Spanish or English, will last approximately 1 hour, and can be conducted by phone or Zoom. Participants will be compensated for their time with a gift card. Interested providers can fill out the interest survey at: https://redcap.link/cv4nvocz . Interest survey link (in Spanish) to be shared with LIMWH clients: https://redcap.link/hkscgs1d For more information, contact, Owen Smith at: osmith7@jhmi.edu.
COVID-19 Treatment Study at Whitman Walker Institute
The SCORPIO-HR Study is a clinical research study looking at an investigational drug for COVID-19
in people who have tested positive and whether it: helps resolve COVID-19 symptoms faster; can reduce symptoms that persist for several months (called “long COVID”). MUST HAVE TESTED POSITIVE IN THE LAST 72 HOURS TO PARTICIPATE. See more here.
Become A Member of the Us Helping Us Community Advisory Board
"Are you passionate about making a positive impact in our community? Do you have a keen interest in contributing your ideas, insights, and expertise to drive meaningful change? We invite you to become a valued member of our Community Advisory Board! Please submit your application by August 31, 2023. Your application should include: A brief introduction and your motivation to join the board; Your relevant experience, skills, or expertise; Ideas or areas of focus you believe are important for our community.
Your availability for board meetings and potential contributions. Please email your application to cab@uhupil.org with the subject line 'Community Advisory Board Application - [Your Name].'"
Faculty Position (Tenure Track) at Emory University, Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
"The Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences (BSHES), Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, seeks scholars for faculty appointments at all academic ranks, in tenure-track and research-track positions. Multiple appointments are anticipated."
See full description and application details here.
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NIH FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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Engaging Survivors of Sexual Violence and Trafficking in HIV and Substance Use Disorder Services (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)
Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-DA-25-018
Posting Date: August 21, 2023
Opening Date: July 5, 2024
Close Date: August 2024
Addressing HIV in Highest Risk Sexual and Gender Minorities (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-DA-25-001
Posting Date: July 31, 2023
Opening Date: July 14, 2024
Close Date: August 14, 2024
Addressing HIV in highest risk sexual and gender minorities (R34 Clinical Trial Required)
Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-OD-23-018
Posting Date: July 31, 2023
Opening Date: July 14, 2024
Close Date: August 14, 2024
HIV/AIDS Scholars Using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models Program (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-22-248 (Reissue)
Posting Date: June 27, 2023
Opening Date: August 13, 2023
Close Date: Various – See announcement
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Innovations to Optimize HIV Prevention and Care Continuum Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-23-061
Posting Date: January 11, 2023
Opening Date: April 09, 2023
Close Date: January 10, 2026
Formative and Pilot Intervention Research to Optimize HIV Prevention and Care Continuum Outcomes (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)
Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-23-060
Posting Date: January 11, 2023
Opening Date: April 09, 2023
Close Date: January 10, 2026
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Implementation Science to Advance the United States HIV Prevention and Treatment Goals and the Global HIV Prevention and Treatment Targets
Funding Opportunity Number: NOT-MH-23-275
Posting Date: June 5, 2023
Opening Date: September 07, 2023
Close Date: September 08, 2026
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research on HIV-associated Malignancies
Funding Opportunity Number: NOT-CA-23-070
Posting Date: June 5, 2023
Opening Date: September 07, 2023
Close Date: September 08, 2026
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Click here for additional funding opportunities available from the National Institutes of Health. | |
The DC CFAR is an NIH funded program (P30AI117970), which is supported by the following NIH Co-Funding and Participating Institutes and Centers: NIAID, NCI, NICHD, NIDCR, NHLBI, NIDA, NIMH, NIA, NIDDK, NINR, NIMHD, FIC, and OAR. The content isthe responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. | | |
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