Elvin Geng, MD, MPH, and Juliet Iwelunmor, PhD

Co-Directors,
Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research

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Researchers at WashU, SLU, and other institutions in our region have been doing groundbreaking work on HIV and its comorbidities for years (see figure below for examples from the Midwest D-CFAR leadership). Our D-CFAR will amplify these efforts by bringing together investigators, community-based organizations, and public health agencies to make more coordinated and effective progress on research priorities set by the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR).

Topical research areas for WashU and SLU investigators and
how they align with a broad range of OAR priorities

Our D-CFAR is organized into four scientific cores (specialized resource hubs) that provide essential infrastructure, expertise, and services to enhance the quality and efficiency of HIV research.

Elvin Geng and Juliet Iwelunmor are co-directing the D-CFAR, with assistance from associate directors Enbal Shacham and Jacaranda van Rheenen.

Liang Shan and George Kyei are directing the Advanced Technology Core, which enhances collaboration among HIV-focused researchers, support the careers of investigators new to the field, and provide guided access to rich technological resources in our area. 

The Clinical Science Core administers programming and services that connects researchers from different institutions, centers, and disciplines to each other and to clinical investigation resources. Beau Ances and Rachel Presti lead these efforts.

Fred Ssewamala, Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, and Richard Grucza direct the Developmental Core, which facilitates our mentoring, training, and supplemental funding programs designed to enlarge, strengthen, and diversify the cadre of HIV investigators in the region.

The Dissemination and Implementation Science Core, led by Ginger McKay, Juliet Iwelunmor, and Anne Sebert-Kuhlmann works to optimize evidence-based HIV interventions to advance adoption and sustainability. 

In addition, our Scientific Working Group on Neglected Populations in HIV (SWG) will facilitate efforts to bring together individuals and groups with lived/practitioner experience in HIV treatment and prevention with that of academic researchers, advancing efforts to combat HIV and improve health services for underserved communities. Michael Durkin and Dima Dandachi direct the SWG.

The Midwest D-CFAR has planned a range of initiatives to foster community, promote inter-disciplinary research, and cultivate career development. These include:

Show Me the Response Day – a symposium highlighting the regional HIV response, with an emphasis on community organizations and public health agencies, organized by a broad committee of regional stakeholders.

HIV Translational Grand Rounds (HIG-R) – monthly seminars fostering cross-disciplinary discourse on HIV-related challenges.

Translational HIV Science Studios (THiS) – small meetings held frequently to promote interdisciplinary problem-solving in HIV.

HIV Works in Progress (HIP) – an opportunity for trainees to refine their research ideas and develop grant proposals.

Bootcamp – a platform for getting feedback on research proposals from funded HIV investigators.

Mentoring Symposium in HIV (MeSH) – advanced training for mentors, focusing on effective mentor-mentee communication, fostering independence, and inclusivity.

Co-designing Innovation – enhancing academic-practitioner engagement through co-developing innovative and collaborative research to address HIV prevention/treatment priorities in Missouri.

Scientific Working Group Collaborative – a cross-disciplinary group of stakeholders working together to develop a shared vision for a community and practitioner-responsive research agenda.

Supplemental support and funding will be provided to facilitate the growth of emerging HIV investigators conducting interdisciplinary research. These include: (1) pilot awards for junior investigators seeking either K-series or R01 awards and senior investigators who have never been funded to work on HIV before; (2) partner pilot awards to support funding proposals that are co-led by an academic and an external partner; and (3) D-CFAR enhancement funds that supplement pilot funding obtained from other intramural sources when they address HIV to leverage institutional resources.

Anyone interested in learning more about any of these services or activities can email us (admin@midwestdcfar.org) or request a consultation.

(all events listed in central time)

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

Presenter: Dima Dandachi, Associate Professor at University of Missouri-Columbia

Discussant: Priya Pal, Instructor in Medicine at WashU

Email Jacaranda van Rheenen to register.

Midwest D-CFAR Launch Event
12-4pm | In-person (St. Louis)

Email Jacaranda van Rheenen to register.

Mentoring the Mentors Workshop for HIV Researchers
In-person (San Francisco)

The two-day workshop, hosted by the UCSF CFAR, is an intensive and interactive meeting designed to provide faculty in HIV research with the tools for more effective mentoring, especially of mentees of diversity. Learn more on the UCSF website and register online by August 30 (or by August 21 if you would like to be considered for a travel scholarship).

Dissemination and Implementation Science Institute (DISI)
In-person (St. Louis)

The WashU Center for Dissemination and Implementation will host this in-person program designed for doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior and established faculty from universities and research institutes who wish to deepen their understanding of implementation science. On day three, participants will take part in a bootcamp where they will receive personalized expert advice on proposals. Acceptance to the program is limited to a maximum capacity of 25 participants, and applications are due no later than July 31. Learn more and apply.

Liang Shan: WashU researchers’ discovery opens new doors to HIV treatment.

Fred Ssewamala:  Gurnett, Ssewamala to receive faculty achievement awards.

Elvin Geng: 
Center director helps publish new journal supplement on HIV research advancements.

Aditi Ramakrishnan:
HIV clinicians represent critical point of access for treatment of substance use.