When communities are authentically engaged and valued in research, it results in not only better science, but also a healthier, more just future for all.

The Midwest D-CFAR hosted its inaugural HIV Proposal Bootcamp on the WashU Medicine campus in April. This event was designed to support emerging HIV researchers in developing competitive grant proposals.

Nadia Sam-Agudu’s talk at WashU addressed themes from historical nomenclature to the lingering effects of colonialism and necessity of speaking out for what is right.

The Partners 4 Health Grantathon brought together nine participants to develop competitive grant proposals focused on HIV prevention, mental health, and health equity in the Midwest.

The Midwest D-CFAR and the Light Institute for Global Health and Transformation brought together a small group public health researchers and stakeholders for the announcement of winning submissions to the recent Partners 4 Health open call.

The Midwest D-CFAR and WashU Department of Molecular Microbiology co-hosted the HIV Translational Grand Rounds and Microbiology Seminar Series on January 21, featuring Robert F. Siliciano, MD, PhD.

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.

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.

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 2024 AIDS Conference was held in Munich, Germany, in July, and representatives from the Midwest D-CFAR were there as facilitators, attendees, and presenters.

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."

The burden of HIV is inequitably distributed so that it most heavily impacts historically oppressed communities in the US. Although these communities are most impacted by the HIV epidemic, they are also the most underrepresented in the current field of HIV research. The NIAID-STAR program, led by D-CFAR co-director Juliet Iwelunmor, was created to respond to this gap.