Dear Midwest D-CFAR Community,

As we get closer to World AIDS Day (December 1), I am filled with gratitude and optimism for the work we are accomplishing together through the Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research (D-CFAR). It is a privilege to reflect on the transformative partnership between Saint Louis University (SLU) and WashU, a collaboration rooted in innovation, shared purpose, and a deep commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

At SLU, we share with WashU a commitment to tackling health disparities and improving the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS. Through the Midwest D-CFAR, our joint efforts are bridging gaps in care and ensuring that research translates into meaningful outcomes for communities in need. This collaboration is not only advancing science but also strengthening the bonds between academia, healthcare, and the communities we serve. Together, we are fostering breakthroughs in HIV research, developing innovative prevention strategies, and addressing the health inequities that continue to fuel the epidemic. 

World AIDS Day reminds us of the progress we have made and the critical work still ahead. It is a day to honor the resilience of those living with HIV and to recommit ourselves to the goal of ending the epidemic. The Midwest D-CFAR plays a vital role in this mission, driving innovation and fostering collaboration that brings us closer to this shared vision.

As we look to the future, I am inspired by the possibilities our partnership holds. Together, SLU and WashU, along with the vibrant Midwest D-CFAR community, are building a foundation of research, compassion, and advocacy that will leave a lasting legacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Thank you for your dedication, your collaboration, and your unwavering commitment to this vital work. 

With hope and gratitude,

Enbal Shacham, PhD, MPH
Associate 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.

Do you have a bold idea for creating a future free of HIV through the strength of partnerships? We want to hear it!

The Partners 4 Health contest is open to all and non-traditional submission formats are encouraged. Submit your idea in the form of an essay, a video, a mixed-media art piece -- the more creative, the better! -- before January 17, 2025. Join an informational webinar on December 3 to learn more, or visit our website.

Midwest D-CFAR representatives joined several national inter-CFAR events this fall, exploring partnerships and sharing breakthroughs with fellow researchers, advocates, and community leaders. Discover how these connections are shaping the future of HIV research and care in our latest news update.

Grant writing requires grit, passion, and a vision for change. During a transformative week earlier this month, Midwest D-CFAR Co-Director Juliet Iwelunmor, PhD, guided 13 participants through the art of crafting grants to drive the fight against HIV in Missouri. Read a recap of the week-long event.

The University of Missouri-Columbia has launched the ACCELERATE clinical trial, which aims to simplify ART re-initiation for people living with HIV who are out of care. Led by Dr. Dima Dandachi and funded by Gilead Sciences, the trial spans three Missouri sites. Read more.

New research highlights alarming gaps in HIV care for refugee youth in Uganda

A recent study led by Nhial Tutlam, assistant professor at WashU, reveals low viral load suppression rates among young people living in refugee settlements, underscoring the urgent need for tailored interventions. Read more about these findings on the WashU Brown School website.

SPOTLIGHT on Dima Dandachi, co-director of the Scientific Working Group

In this month’s spotlight Q&A, Dr. Dima Dandachi, co-director of our Scientific Working Group, reflects on her career journey in HIV research and public health. She also shares insights from her work in both rural and urban settings, and describes her broader vision for healthcare equity and peace. Read the full interview.

(all events listed in central time)

World AIDS Day

SWG Community Collaborative Kickoff Meeting
12-1pm | Virtual (Zoom)

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

NIH World AIDS Day Event: Progress, Innovation, and Impact in HIV Research
10-11:30am | Virtual (Zoom)

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

Presenter: Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, PhD

CFAR Adelante
This NIH-funded career development program is open to early career HIV investigators and their community-based organization partners, providing up to $250,000 for research projects to reduce HIV-related health disparities among Hispanic and/or Latinx people in the US. Proposals are due December 2.

HIV Vaccine Trials Network Research and Mentoring Program
The application period for the 2025-2026 HVTN Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP) is now open. RAMP provides structured mentorship and project funding for medical students from communities that are underrepresented in medicine in the US who are considering careers in HIV prevention and/or vaccine research. Applications are due December 2.

Eisenhower Health HIV Interprofessional Symposium | December 7 | Rancho Mirage, CA and virtual
This all-day symposium aims to educate and train healthcare professionals to address the healthcare needs of people living with HIV through interprofessional team-based learning, education, and collaboration. Steven Deeks, MD, Professor of Medicine at UCSF will be the keynote speaker. Discussions will cover advances in HIV/AIDS medicine, focusing on issues related to patient care and offering an opportunity to interact with leaders in the field. CE credit is available. Advance registration is required and closes on December 6.

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.