Third Coast CFAR 2023 Symposium Overview

The Third Coast CFAR hosted its 2023 HIV Research Symposium on October 16th at the Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago. There were over 160 attendees, 18 oral presentations, and 40 poster presentations. The event highlighted the work of HIV investigators based at local institutions, including RUSH University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Northwestern University, and offered exciting networking opportunities. We thank all the presenters, attendees, planning committee, and staff for making the symposium a wonderful success!

Agenda

9:45 a.m.        Registration

10:00 a.m.      Poster Set-up Completed

10:30 a.m.      Welcome from CFAR Director Brian Mustanski, PhD                           

10:40 a.m.      Opening Session: Cross-disciplinary Updates on Recent Advancements in HIV Research
                       Chair: Michael Newcomb, PhD, Northwestern University

• • • Basic Science
      Lena Al-Harthi, PhD, RUSH University
    • Clinical Sciences and Biomedical Interventions
      Jessica Ridgway, MD, University of Chicago
    • Behavioral Science
      Amy Johnson, PhD, Northwestern University and Lurie Children’s Hospital
      
    • Public Health Priorities and Opportunities for Research
      Dave Kern, Chicago Department of Public Health

11:25 a.m.     Session 1: Understanding and Addressing HIV Comorbidities
                      Chair: Richard Novak, MD, University of Illinois at Chicago

• • • Skeletal Responses to HIV and Antiretrovirals
      Ryan Ross, PhD, RUSH University
    • Biological Basis of HIV-Associated Cardiovascular Diseases
      Matthew Feinstein, MD, Northwestern University
      
    • HIV-Associated Cardiometabolic Comorbidities: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
      Jennifer Jao, MD, MPH, Northwestern University and Lurie Children’s Hospital
      
    • The Role of the Brain’s Central Executive Network in Comorbidities of HIV
      Joshua Schrock, PhD, Northwestern University

12:30 p.m.      Lunch

1:15 p.m.        Session 2: Accelerating the HIV Prevention and Care Continuums
                       Chair: Sybil Hosek, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago

• • • Development and Dissemination of PrEP4Teens: A Social Marketing Campaign to Raise PrEP Awareness and Knowledge Among Chicago Area Adolescents
      Kathryn Macapagal, PhD, Northwestern University
      
    • Considering Structural Factors in HIV: Perspectives on the Legal Context of Employment for Black Sexual Minority Men
      Darnell Motley, PhD, University of Chicago
      
    • Persistent HIV Viral Suppression During Treatment Interruption in the CDC HIV Outpatient Study
      Richard Novak, MD, University of Illinois at Chicago

2:15 p.m.        Break

2:30 p.m.        Session 3: From Development to Application: Innovations in Methods and Models
                       Chair: Elena Martinelli, PhD, Northwestern University

• • • Using Humanized Mice to Study the Dynamics of HIV Infection and Antiretroviral Therapy
      Jennillee Wallace, PhD, RUSH University
      
    • Generation of Microglia-Containing Organoids and Cyclic Multiplex Immunofluorescence for HIV Infection Studies
      João Mamede, PhD, RUSH University
      
    • Glycoengineering Anti-HIV Antibodies to Increase Delivery to the Brain:
      Implications for Targeting the CNS HIV Reservoir
      Jeffrey Schneider, PhD, RUSH University
    • Characterization of the Transcriptional Microenvironment of the SIV Tissue Reservoirs at the Single Focus Level During ART and Post ATI
      Ramon Lorenzo Redondo, PhD, Northwestern University

3:20 p.m.        Session 3: From Development to Application: Innovations in Methods and Models 
                       Chair: Héctor Torres, PsyD, Colibrí Counseling

• • • Understanding Status Neutral Approaches for Same Day Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Community Health Settings
      Moira McNulty, MD, University of Chicago
    • Capacity Building and Status Neutral Approaches to Ending the HIV Epidemic
      Russell Brewer, DrPH, University of Chicago
    • Moving from Community Engagement to Empowerment: Strategies from the PrEPárate Campaign
      Harita Shah, MD, University of Chicago

4:00 p.m.    Invitation to Poster Session from CFAR Steering Committee Member John Schneider, MD, MPH

4:05 p.m.    Closing Remarks from CFAR Co-Director Richard D’Aquila, MD    

4:10 p.m.    Poster Session and Reception — Wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres

6:00 p.m.    Symposium Concludes