Network News

Please remember to cite the CFAR. Citing the CFAR grant number (AI050409) on all publications and presentations that benefited from any level of Emory CFAR consultation, services, materials, mentorship, or funding is crucial in ensuring our continued support from NIH.

During IDWeek 2019 in Washington, DC last week, Carlos del Rio was named the 2019 recipient of the HIV Medical Association (HIVMA) Clinical Educator Award! This highly prestigous award -- which Jeff Lennox won in 2008 -- recognizes significant achievement in the area of HIV clinical care and provider education that extends beyond the awardee's institution to include national and global impact. Go Carlos!!
• Read More About It

The September issue of the ACTG Clinical Trials Group Newsletter featured Igho Ofotokun as their highlighted investigator.

In the newsletter (scroll to bottom), Igho describes the high point of his work with the ACTG as the proposal that he and Jeff Lennox spearheaded which eventually became ACTG 5257. This 52-site US protocol was designed to test whether initial regimens of ARVs which did not include efavirenz (a powerful anti-HIV drug known to cause neural tube defects [e.g. spina bifida] if taken in the first trimester of pregnancy) would be as efficacious against HIV as those that did include efavirenz. The findings from this paradigm-changing study contributed to the revision of the U.S. HIV treatment guidelines in 2015 to prioritize ARV regimens that are better tolerated by women.

The CFAR received FIVE supplementary awards from NIH in September. These include funds for a new cohort of CFAR Adelante scholars, two grants stemming from the White House's Ending the the HIV Epidemic initiative, and two NIH CFAR administative supplements for research.

Valeria Cantos		Jeff Collins		Sophia Hussen
Jessica Sales		Anandi Sheth		Yan Sun

Valeria Cantos

was competitively selected by an NIH study section to join the newest (third) cohort of CFAR Adelante* Scholars. During her two years as a Scholar, Valeria and her team will focus on Development of a Comprehensive HIV Prevention App for Latino Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)
• Read the project Abstract

*CFAR Adelante is a national mentored research mechanism that is funded by NIH and co-administered by the Emory and Washington DC CFARs. The program's goal is to increase HIV research taking place in Latinx/Hispanic communities.

Jeff Collins

received an NIH CFAR Administrative Supplement for Metabalonics and Lipidomics to Identify Tuberculosis Biomarkers
• Read the project Abstract

Sophia Hussen

received an NIH CFAR supplement paid from the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund's contribution to the President's Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America. Sophia's project will focus on Exploring HIV & Mental Health Care Integration for Young Black MSM
• Read the project Abstract

Jessica Sales and Anandi Sheth

are MPIs on an NIH CFAR supplement from the President's Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America. Their project will focus on Reducing HIV Among Women Living in Atlanta
• Read the project Abstract

Yan Sun

received an NIH CFAR Administrative Supplement for Metabolic Markers of Renal Failure among Individuals of African Ancestry after ART
• Read the project Abstract

10th INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON HIV & AGING (OCT 10-11)

Will you be in New York City presenting at the 10th International Workshop on HIV & Aging? If so, please let us know by emailing Jenny Anderson (jenny.anderson@emory.edu).

	Sara Pullen

Sara Pullen will be presenting a poster there:
Chronic Pain Management and Opioid Reduction Among Adults Living With HIV: An Innovative Physical Therapy Intervention
Pullen S, Acker C, Kim H, Mullins, Sims P, Strasbaugh H, Zimmerman S, del Rio C, Marconi, VM.

17th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HIV MALIGNANCIES (October 21-22)

Will you be in Bethesda presenting at the NIH National Cancer Institute's 17th International Conference on HIV Malignancies? If so, please let us know by emailing Jenny Anderson (jenny.anderson@emory.edu).

Theresa Gillespie		Joe Lipscomb		Jessica Wells

Theresa Gillespie, Joe Lipscomb, and Jessica Wells will be presenting two posters at that conference:
PLWHA: Perceptions of and Practices for Cancer Screening and Preventive Behaviors
Gillespie TW, Mincey L, Liu Y, Ballard D , Scott K , Knott R, Nguyen M, Chawla S , Lipscomb J, Wells J.

Biologic, Clinical, and Sociodemographic Predictors of Standard-of-Care Therapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients with an HIV Diagnosis
Gillespie TW, Switchenko JM, Flowers CR, Wortley PM, Bayakly AR, Almon L, Fernando R, Ward K, Lipscomb J.

2019 INTER-CFAR WOMEN & HIV SYMPOSIUM (October 21-22).

Will you be in Chicago presenting at the 2019 Inter-CFAR Women & HIV Symposium? If so, please let us know by emailing Jenny Anderson (jenny.anderson@emory.edu).

Cecile Lahiri		Whitney Rice		Kristin Wall

At least three CFARians (that we are aware of) will be presenting orals and posters at that conference:

Cecile Lahiri: Effects of integrase strand-transfer inhibitor use on cardiometabolic risk indicators in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (poster)

Whitney Rice: Perspectives of U.S. Women Living with HIV on the Quality of Care they Desire and Receive (poster)

Kristin Wall: Hormonal contraception and women's HIV acquisition risk in Rwandan discordant couples, 2002-2011 (oral)

Mentors Sought: Project IMHOTEP
Project Imhotep is a summer internship program designed to increase the knowledge and skills of underrepresented minority students in public health. As part of the program interns are paired in a one-on-one mentored relationship to complete a public health research project.
• More Information: Contact Ambiir Gray (ambiir.gray@morehouse.edu)

Core Coordinator Sought: CFAR Clinical Research Core
The Emory CFAR is seeking a Core Coordinator for the Clinical Research Core (CRC). This position will be primarily responsible for the successful planning and execution of project collaborations within the CRC including working with Core users on the design and implementation of the logistical infrastructure needed to engage, pre-screen, collect specimens and data, and consent study participants at multiple clinical research sites in metro-Atlanta.
• More information

Virology Research Scientist Sought: Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology
The Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology at the Emory School of Medicine is looking for a Research Scientist to work on HIV and influenza virus antiviral agents. Requirements: High motivation and drive; Strong cell culture and molecular biology skills; Experience in virology; Relevant PhD in microbiology, virology or biochemistry is essential.
• Send application and CV to Dr. Raymond Schinazi (rschina@emory.edu)

Trainees Sought: Inter-CFAR Implementation Science Fellowship
Implementation Science Fellows will be selected from across the CFAR network to participate in an eight-month mentorship program. The program will include didactic training in IS methodology, both online and in-person, as well as applied mentorship in the development of a grant application which incorporates implementation science methodology or training. Fellows will be expected to participate in eight 1-hour online sessions (6 of the 8 which must be attended in real-time), advance the development of a grant incorporating implementation science research, and attend a two-day in-person workshop with the mentorship team.
Application Deadline: October 15
• More information

Mentoring Moment... by the CFAR Developmental Core

Community Corner...

Dear Community Partners,

"The leader knows the reality." This Kenyan proverb speaks to the great responsibility that leaders have to understand the environment around them to lead effectively. As a leader in driving the conversation around HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases into action for more than 30 years, the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc., (NBLCA) is at the cusp of a new and exciting phase in our history. On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I am excited to announce that moving forward, NBLCA will now be known as the National Black Leadership Commission on Health (NBLCH), Inc..

As NBLCH, our mission is to champion the promotion of health and prevention of diseases to reduce disparities and achieve equity within the Black community. Championing Black health through advocacy, policy and action is the main goal of our expanded organization. Our expanded focus will include HIV/AIDS, Hep C, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, sickle cell, diabetes, and mental health. Each of these areas affect Black/African Americans at vastly disproportionate levels in comparison to other racial/ethnic groups.

We are embarking on a community education and mobilization tour to our affiliate cities as well as scheduling meetings with partners and advocates. On October 10th, we invite you to join us for a webinar, 2:00 PM -3:00 PM (EST) for a presentation on the changes and future of NBLCH.

Best regards,
C. Virginia Fields
President
National Black Leadership Commission on Health, Inc.

• Register for the Webinar

Footlights | Vaccine Dinner Club - Thursday, October 10

Focus: The Measles Mess

Click Here to Register

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The Network News is a periodic email, detailing HIV/AIDS related events, funding opportunities, and achievements of CFAR members. If you have items that you wish to have included, please send them to us at cfar@emory.edu by Friday of each week. Please put "The Network News" in the subject line.

The Network News is distributed to CFAR members and fans by email every Wednesday. Except when it isn't.

Editor, Kimbi Sessions Hagen, EdD