Dear Midwest D-CFAR Community,

As we enter the holiday season, we are filled with gratitude and optimism as we reflect on the achievements of the past year. Together, we have built a vibrant community committed to advancing HIV/AIDS research and improving the lives of those most affected by the virus. It has been a remarkable first year for the Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research, and we owe our progress to the dedication and passion of each of you.

This year has been filled with milestones. In September, we officially launched the Center with an inspiring gathering of researchers, community partners, and stakeholders from across the region. The energy and collaboration underscored the potential of our collective efforts. In our first-ever call for pilot funding this fall, we received 14 applications (more than expected!) and we are looking forward to announcing the awardees next month. We hosted six thought-provoking HIV Works in Progress (HIP) seminars since July, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Most recently, we held our first Research Community Collaborative meeting. This initiative is a cornerstone of our mission to prioritize equity and partnership, ensuring that community voices remain central to our research and work. We are excited to build on this momentum.

During this season of gratitude, we thank you for your contributions to the Midwest D-CFAR. Whether through participation in events, groundbreaking research, or advocacy for equitable health outcomes, you are helping us move closer to our vision of ending the HIV epidemic. We warmly welcome over 50 new D-CFAR members who have joined us in recent months. Your engagement strengthens our collective mission. (If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to join this dynamic network!)

We wish you a joyful holiday season filled with peace and celebration. Let’s continue this important journey together in the new year, driving progress and making a difference.

Warm wishes,

Elvin Geng, MD and Juliet Iwelunmor, PhD
Director and Co-Director, Midwest D-CFAR

P.S. If you want to continue receiving updates on the Midwest D-CFAR in your inbox, please subscribe to our mailing list. If social media is more your thing, you can also find updates from us on X and on LinkedIn.

The Midwest D-CFAR's Research Community Collaborative held its virtual kickoff on December 2, bringing together community leaders and academic researchers to shape a shared HIV research agenda. The Collaborative, an initiative of our Scientific Working Group, aims to fosters equal, reciprocal partnerships to address health disparities and drive impactful research.

The event drew 38 participants from community-based organizations, health departments, and academic institutions across the Midwest. Read more.

The Partners 4 Health contest is open to all, and creative submission formats are encouraged. Submit your idea in the form of an essay, a video, a mixed-media art piece, etc., before January 17, 2025. Invite your friends to participate as well! Selected teams will receive funding and support to develop and pilot their ideas. Join an informational webinar on January 7 or visit our website to learn more.

WashU/CIDRZ study finds that friendly health providers can improve health outcomes for clients with HIV

Groundbreaking new research from Zambia, led by researchers from CIDRZ and supported by D-CFAR director Elvin Geng and member Aaloke Mody, tested a new way to make HIV care more person-centered by focusing on respect, kindness, and better communication from health providers. The results, recently published in the Lancet, show that fostering positive provider-patient relationships can significantly improve retention in care. Read a summary on our website.

SPOTLIGHT on Virginia (Ginger) McKay, director of the Dissemination and Implementation Science Core

This month, we are shining a spotlight on Ginger McKay, a dedicated researcher, who focuses on integrating community insights into her projects, addressing health disparities, and fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change. Learn more about her inspiring work and commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved populations on our website.

(all events listed in central time)

Partners 4 Health Contest Info Session
11am-12pm | Virtual (Zoom)

HIV Translational Grand Rounds: Strategies for Curing HIV Infection 
12-1pm | In-Person (WashU Med Campus)

Presenter: Robert Siliciano, MD, PhD; Johns Hopkins University

HIV Works in Progress (HIP) Seminar
2-3:15pm | Virtual (Zoom)

Presenters: Phillip Marotta, PhD; Liang Shan, PhD

International AIDS Society Mentorship Programs
The application period for the IAS Mentorship Programs is now open. Through one-to-one mentoring, these programs aim to foster knowledge exchange and build relationships between early-career and established professionals. Applications are due December 20.

Practitioner-Oriented Implementation Science Education (POISE) Training
The HIV Implementation Science Coordination Initiative (ISCI) at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine is welcoming applications for the Practitioner-Oriented Implementation Science Education (POISE) Training program. This hybrid training is designed for HIV prevention and care practitioners who want to learn more about implementation science and how to apply innovative tools and strategies to real-world practice. The program will take place from February to June 2025, and full details on the time and work required can be found on the ISCI website. Applications are due January 6, 2025.

University of Alabama at Birmingham Postdoctoral HIV Fellowship
The UAB CFAR has a one-year postdoctoral fellowship available. Applicants may propose any type of HIV research across the spectrum of HIV prevention, treatment, or cure. The fellowship provides salary and travel support as well as mentorship and training opportunities to prepare fellows for a career as an independent researcher. Applications are due on January 15, 2025.

2025 DC CFAR Scientific Symposium | February 12, 2025 | Washington, DC, USA (hybrid)
All are invited to attend the 2025 DC CFAR Scientific Symposium, entitled: "Improving the Health and Quality of Life of People with HIV and Ending the HIV Epidemic in Washington, DC in Partnership with Community and Government." This will be an interactive in-person event with a Zoom option, held on February 12, 2025. Registration is requested by January 31.

CFAR Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Network Conference | February 26-28, 2025 | Bethesda, MD
The purpose of the CFAR SBSRN is to foster cross CFAR collaborations between behavioral and social scientists, to share strategies on how behavioral and social scientists communicate with basic scientists, to provide a forum for the exchange of the most recent information in the behavioral sciences regarding HIV/AIDS, and to mentor the next generation of behavioral social scientists. Advance registration is required. 

INTEREST Conference | May 13-16, 2025 | Windhoek, Namibia
The annual International Conference on HIV Treatment, Pathogenesis, and Prevention Research (INTEREST) is the premier scientific conference for HIV in Africa and brings together scientists involved in HIV treatment, pathogenesis, and prevention research from around the world. Abstracts are due January 17, 2025.

IAS Conference | July 13-17, 2025 | Kigali, Rwanda
One of the world's most influential meetings on HIV science, this biennial conference aims to present the critical advances in basic, clinical, and operational HIV research that moves science into policy and practice. Abstracts are due January 22, 2025.

Everyone has a part to play in ending the HIV epidemic! Whether you're an investigator, an aspiring researcher, a member of an organization serving communities affected by HIV, someone living with HIV, or simply an individual who wants to make a difference, we welcome you to join us as a Midwest D-CFAR member. Visit midwestdcfar.org to learn how.