Groundbreaking new research from Zambia, supported by D-CFAR director Elvin Geng and member Aaloke Mody, tested a new way to make HIV care more person-centered by focusing on respect, kindness, and better communication from health providers. The results show that fostering positive provider-patient relationships can significantly improve retention in care.

On December 2, the Midwest D-CFAR's Scientific Working Group (SWG) hosted the virtual kickoff for the Research Community Collaborative. This event marked the beginning of an exciting effort to create a shared plan for HIV research that responds to the needs of communities across Missouri and the Midwest.

CFARS unite! How do collaboration and innovation drive the fight against HIV? Midwest D-CFAR representatives joined national inter-CFAR events this fall, exploring partnerships and sharing breakthroughs with fellow researchers, advocates, and community leaders.

The University of Missouri-Columbia has launched the ACCELERATE clinical trial, a groundbreaking study simplifying ART re-initiation for people living with HIV who are out of care.

Grant writing requires grit, passion, and a vision for change. During a transformative week, Midwest D-CFAR co-director Juliet Iwelunmor, PhD, guided 13 participants through the art of crafting grants to drive the fight against HIV in Missouri.

Dima Dandachi, MD, MPH, is associate professor of medicine at University of Missouri, medical director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, and co-director of our Scientific Working Group.

The Midwest D-CFAR and the WashU Global Health Center co-hosted a compelling discussion between Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi, a renowned OBGYN and director of research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and Juliet Iwelunmor, D-CFAR co-director. They highlighted the intersection of global HIV research and its real-world impact on communities.

The Midwest D-CFAR officially launched at an event held last month in St. Louis which convened about 100 researchers, advocates, and public health professionals.

The INSPIRE Center seeks to adapt, scale, and sustain evidence-based interventions that reduce HIV inequities for adolescents and young adults in Africa while optimizing the translation of research findings into real-world impact.

Liang Shan, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Medicine and of Pathology & Immunology and co-director of the Midwest D-CFAR Advanced Technology Core.

Rachel Presti, MD, PhD, is medical director of the WashU Infectious Disease Clinical Research Unit (IDCRU) and co-director of the Midwest D-CFAR Clinical Science Core.

The D-CFAR's inaugural HIV Works in Progress (HIP) seminar was held in July 2024, featuring a presentation by Dr. Dima Dandachi, Associate Professor at the University of Missouri. Dr. Dandachi presented her study, "ACCELERATE: A Multisite Type II Implementation – Effectiveness Hybrid Mixed Methods Study of a Simplified Accelerated ART Initiation Protocol for People with HIV Who Are Out of Care."