Ending the HIV epidemic in Missouri and the Midwest through groundbreaking research, innovative solutions, and community-driven practices for change

Collaboration and Coordination

Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University have joined forces to establish the Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research (Midwest D-CFAR) with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The center serves as a platform for researchers and public health workers to collaborate and coordinate their efforts to fight the HIV epidemic together.

Our vision is to improve the lives of people affected by the HIV epidemic. Our mission is to expand the scope, quality, and impact of science addressing HIV. Our goal is to transform our institutions to lead science aligned with the NIH HIV research priorities, contributing to turning the tide on this epidemic.

D-CFAR News

News and Updates
Investing in Mentor Development: Dima Dandachi Reflects on Mentorship Workshop for HIV Researchers
Investing in Mentor Development: Dima Dandachi Reflects on Mentorship Workshop for HIV Researchers

Dima Dandachi, Co-Director of the Scientific Working Group, recently attended the Mentoring the Mentors Workshop for HIV Researchers in San Francisco. We asked Dr. Dandachi to share her reflections and key takeaways from the workshop.

SPOTLIGHT on Chen Shen
SPOTLIGHT on Chen Shen

Meet Dr. Chen Shen, an early-stage HIV investigator at WashU. Chen studies the structural mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions.

Midwest D-CFAR Partner Pilot Award Reflections: Community Voices, Shared Learning, and Pathways to Impact
Midwest D-CFAR Partner Pilot Award Reflections: Community Voices, Shared Learning, and Pathways to Impact

At a recent Scientific Working Group Community Collaborative meeting, individuals who submitted to the latest call for Partner Pilot Award applications were given the opportunity to reflect and share feedback about their experience.

Meet the Inaugural Cohort of SWG Community Champions
Meet the Inaugural Cohort of SWG Community Champions

Meet the inaugural Scientific Working Group (SWG) Community Champions, San Juan Caffey Jr. and Jourdan Lacey. The Community Champion Program uplifts leaders whose lived experience and professional expertise strengthen our shared mission to equitably end the HIV epidemic in Missouri.

Find Midwest D-CFAR investigators at CROI
Find Midwest D-CFAR investigators at CROI

The 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), happening February 22-26 in Denver, Colorado, features presentations by several Midwest D-CFAR investigators.

Midwest D-CFAR announces 2026 pilot funding awardees
Midwest D-CFAR announces 2026 pilot funding awardees

These awards aim to support emerging and established researchers as they expand their focus to HIV-related studies.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT on Beau Ances
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT on Beau Ances

Meet Dr. Beau Ances, professor of neurology at WashU and director of the Midwest D-CFAR Clinical Science Core.

Midwest D-CFAR investigators showcase work at D&I Conference
Midwest D-CFAR investigators showcase work at D&I Conference

The 18th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health (D&I) was held this week in Washinton, D.C. and several members of the Midwest D-CFAR were there leading workshops, facilitating discussion forums, and presenting novel research.

SPOTLIGHT on Octavio Mesner
SPOTLIGHT on Octavio Mesner

Meet Dr. Octavio Mesner, an early-stage HIV investigator at WashU. Octavio focuses on the intersection of methods and LGBTQ+ health, particularly in non-parametric causal discovery. 

Why rural HIV research must be coordinated, inclusive and equity-focused
Why rural HIV research must be coordinated, inclusive and equity-focused

When rural communities are left without the resources and support to participate in clinical trials our understanding of HIV is skewed. Blog written by Dima Dandachi, co-director of the Midwest D-CFAR’s Scientific Working Group.

SPOTLIGHT on Aditi Ramakrishnan
SPOTLIGHT on Aditi Ramakrishnan

Meet Dr. Aditi Ramakrishnan, an inspiring early-stage investigator at WashU devoted to improving HIV prevention and treatment services. Discover her journey, ongoing projects, and experiences at IDWeek in our November 2025 feature.

Iwelunmor, Nabunya, and Nartey, awarded WashU’s OVCR Seed Grant for Interdisciplinary Research
Iwelunmor, Nabunya, and Nartey, awarded WashU’s OVCR Seed Grant for Interdisciplinary Research

Juliet Iwelunmor, Proscovia Nabunya, and Portia Nartey were recently awarded a seed grant from the WashU Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research to explore the prevalence and predictors of sexual risk behaviors in Ghanaian adolescent girls.

Midwest D-CFAR leader honored for excellence in research mentorship
Midwest D-CFAR leader honored for excellence in research mentorship

Dima Dandachi, MD, will receive the 2025 University of Missouri School of Medicine Excellence in Research Mentoring Award, which recognizes faculty members for excellence in clinical, translational and/or basic science research mentorship.

Midwest D-CFAR leads session at USCHA
Midwest D-CFAR leads session at USCHA

Kneeshe Parkinson, PhD, coordinator of the Midwest D-CFAR’s Scientific Working Group, attended the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) and facilitated a session.

D-CFAR investigator receives NIH grant to study insomnia treatment for people with HIV
D-CFAR investigator receives NIH grant to study insomnia treatment for people with HIV

Dr. Burel Goodin's new Healthy Behaviors for Insomnia Prevention in People with HIV and Ongoing Pain (HIP HOP) study seeks to explore the impact of improving sleep on mitigating chronic pain among people with HIV.

Get to know Elizabeth Bukusi, distinguished visiting scholar from the Kenya Medical Research Institute
Get to know Elizabeth Bukusi, distinguished visiting scholar from the Kenya Medical Research Institute

Elizabeth Bukusi, a leading global health expert and renowned HIV researcher, offers insights into her distinguished career, impactful research, and unwavering commitment to improving global health outcomes.

How do I build a solid professional network within the HIV research community? — Answers from our network.
How do I build a solid professional network within the HIV research community? — Answers from our network.

Crowdsourced answers to the question: How do I build a solid professional network in the HIV research community?

Mizzou’s new telehealth research project aims to make healthcare more accessible
Mizzou’s new telehealth research project aims to make healthcare more accessible

The Center for Telehealth Research and Policy (C-TRaP), will conduct five interrelated studies with the goal of integrating machine learning, federated data science, and implementation research to develop predictive, secure, and generalizable tools for evaluating and optimizing rural telehealth delivery.

Advancing HIV and cancer research: Dorothy Mangale joins AIDS malignancy consortium career program
Advancing HIV and cancer research: Dorothy Mangale joins AIDS malignancy consortium career program

Dorothy Mangale, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate at WashU, has been selected to participate in the AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC)’s prestigious Career Enhancement Program.

Opportunities

Ready to take your HIV pilot project further? Apply for a Pilot Plus Fund ($10K)!

Need fast funding to push your HIV research forward? Apply for a Just in Time (JIT) Enhancement Fund (up to $10K)

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