Thomas A. Odeny, MD, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at WashU and member of the Midwest D-CFAR, was recently awarded Just-in-Time (JIT) core usage funding through the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) for an innovative project titled Epidemiology of Cancer of Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus At JOOTRH, as well as a JIT Enhancement Fund through the Midwest D-CFAR.

Dr. Julia López and her collaborators recently published early findings from the ENGAGE-HIV study, which aims to analyze the adoption of updated breast/chestfeeding guidelines for people living with HIV. Read to learn more about their findings and the future of the project.

Shelly Dalton, PhD, Assistant Professor at SLU and member of the Midwest D-CFAR, was recently awarded Just-in-Time (JIT) core usage funding through the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) for an innovative project titled ADHD, Prescription Stimulant Treatment, and the HIV Care Continuum, as well as a JIT Enhancement Fund through the Midwest D-CFAR.

Midwest D-CFAR Scientific Working Group Community Champions reflect on community events throughout the month of June, including the Future Is Femme Ball and Party with A Purpose.

The Midwest D-CFAR recently partnered with the Light Institute for Global Health and Transformation to host the Missouri HIV Prevention Vending Machine Project, which brought together community organizations, public health professionals, and innovators to develop creative solutions for expanding access to HIV and STI prevention resources through vending machines.

Burel Goodin, PhD is a pain scientist whose work has helped illuminate a frequently overlooked issue in HIV care: chronic pain among people living with HIV. Learn more about his research and current clinical trial, supported by the Midwest D-CFAR.

In St. Louis, young Black men who have sex with men continue to face disproportionately high rates of HIV, while testing uptake remains persistently low. In response, ChampionSTL emerged as a community-centered initiative designed to reimagine HIV prevention through peer leadership, human-centered design, and accessible science communication. Learn more about ChampionSTL and what it means to build hope, equity, and power through community-academic partnerships.

Dr. GG recently defended their dissertation, marking an enormous milestone in their academic and professional career. We sat down with Dr. GG to learn what this accomplishment means for them, and how mentorship has factored into their growth as a scholar and professional.