Check this page often for news, updates, event recaps, and blog posts from the Midwest D-CFAR. Posts from 2024 can be found here.
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From Discovery to Delivery: Inside the NIH HIV Strategic Plan, 2026–2030
The NIH Office of AIDS Research has released the FY 2026–2030 NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research, which sets NIH's HIV research priorities for the next five years. In this blog, we outline how the plan is organized, major shifts in priorities, and what this means for researchers and community partners.
Midwest D-CFAR Members Connect with Global HIV Research Community at VISTA 2026
Members of the Midwest D-CFAR recently joined researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals from around the world in Cape Town, South Africa, for the inaugural HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Health Science of Implementation Conference (VISTA).
Beyond the Ribbon: Turning Breast Cancer Awareness into Community Action
Kneeshe Parkinson, Program Coordinator for the Midwest D-CFAR Scientific Working Group (SWG), was invited to attend Beyond the Ribbon, a Breast Cancer Awareness event hosted by the Community Health Commission of Missouri. The event brought together breast cancer survivors, community-based organizations, advocates, and those committed to advancing awareness, education, and support for people affected by breast cancer.
Midwest D-CFAR Members Receive Department of Medicine Awards
We are excited to share that three members of the Midwest D-CFAR have been recognized by the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. These awards celebrate faculty and staff whose dedication and service strengthen the department and the broader WashU Medicine community.
Rethinking HIV Care: Lessons from Wendy Armstrong
Wendy Armstrong, MD, FIDSA recently delivered the annual J. Russell Little, MD Lectureship at WashU. Her lecture revolved around a central question: how can we make effective HIV care work for people whose needs are poorly served by traditional health services?
Learning Outside of the Classroom: Trinity’s Internship Journey
“One of the biggest things I learned during this experience was how important it is to make health information easy to understand and accessible.” Trinity Harris, a senior at HSSU, reflects on her time in the HSSU-STLDOH-STAR-Midwest D-CFAR internship and what she learned about health communication, HIV prevention, and program development.
Radhika Sundararajan joins WashU and Midwest D-CFAR
We're excited to welcome Dr. Sundararajan to our team! As an emergency physician and anthropologist, Dr. Sundararajan brings a unique perspective to HIV research, focusing on building trust with communities and improving access to care. Her research explores how social and cultural factors shape people’s experiences with HIV and the challenges they face in accessing services.
Midwest D-CFAR Investigators Awarded NIH Supplements
Several members of the Midwest D-CFAR were recently awarded administrative supplements by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These supplements support the aims of the parent Midwest D-CFAR grant and align directly with the national Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative.
Joining a Community of Support: Arnezsia’s Internship Journey
Arnezsia Kimbrough reflects on her time in the HSSU-STLDOH-STAR-Midwest D-CFAR internship and what she learnt about HIV, community health, and program development.
Midwest D-CFAR Awards Inaugural Outstanding Mentor Award
The Midwest D-CFAR recently solicited nominations for the inaugural Midwest D-CFAR Outstanding Mentor Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate exemplary scientific and career mentorship to early-career HIV investigators at Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and Harris-Stowe State University.
Get to know new WashU faculty member, Dr. Whitney Irie
We're excited to welcome Dr. Irie to WashU! Her research advances equitable sexual and reproductive health care, focusing on expanding Black women's access to HIV prevention, PrEP, and other essential health services. Through community-engaged, implementation science-driven research, she develops innovative, sustainable strategies that help evidence-based care reach those who can benefit most.
Thomas Odeny Awarded ICTS JIT Grant
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.
Rethink, Rebuild, Rise: Bringing Global HIV Innovation, Women’s Leadership, and Community Power Home from AIDS 2026
Kneeshe Parkinson reflects on her experience at AIDS 2026, highlighting key lessons on community leadership, women’s voices, digital connection, and innovative HIV prevention. In this blog, Parkinson explores how global innovations can inspire new approaches to HIV research, prevention, and care across the Midwest.
Midwest D-CFAR Investigator Examines Infant Feeding Practice Guidelines for Individuals With HIV
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.
New NIH Grant Will Help Ensure Future HIV Cures Actually Reach People
The Midwest D-CFAR community is celebrating a major NIH award for REALISE (Research on End-user Acceptability and Long-term Impacts of HIV Cure Strategies). Led by Dr. Elvin Geng and a multidisciplinary team of collaborators, REALISE will examine what people living with HIV want from future cure strategies, helping ensure that advances in HIV cure science translate into meaningful, patient-centered impact. Read more about this exciting project and the team behind it.
Shelly Dalton Awarded ICTS JIT Grant
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.
Community in Motion: Celebrating June Through Collaboration, Culture, and Purpose
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.
Sebla Kutluay Joins Midwest D-CFAR Advanced Technology Core
Sebla Kutluay, PhD has joined the Midwest D-CFAR as Co-Director of the Advanced Technology Core (ATC). Dr. Kutluay will work with George Kyei, MD, MPhil, PhD—Director of the ATC—to promote advanced technologies to advance the health of people living with HIV.
Reflecting on the Missouri HIV Prevention Vending Machine Project Designathon
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.
Midwest D-CFAR Investigator Examines the Relationship Between Sleep and Pain in PLWH
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.