2019 Inter-CFAR Women and HIV Symposium

Overview

The Inter-CFAR Women and HIV Symposium identified gaps in knowledge in HIV and women’s research and emphasized the development of new strategies to move the field forward. The meeting included 175 participants, oral and poster presentations from 54 early career investigators, and members of 18 CFARs, as well as many of their domestic and global collaborators. The organizing committee thanks the symposiums’ sponsors and the enthusiastic young and established scientists for making the meeting a success.

Agenda At-A-Glance

Day One

7:30 a.m. Registration Opens, Poster Set Up, and Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. Opening Session

• Welcome from Chair of the HIV in Women Working Group
  Phyllis Tien, UCSF-Gladstone CFAR
• Community Address
  Maya Green, Howard Brown Health
• Keynote Adress
  Thomas Hope, Northwestern University / Third Coast CFAR

9:00 a.m. Plenary 1 — Hormones, hormones, hormones

• Clinical trials: ECHO results 
  Jared Baeten, UW/Fred Hutch CFAR
• Basic Research: The microbiome, hormones, and the mucosal microenvironment
  Adam Burgener, University of Manitoba
• Sociobehavioral Research: Impact of HC on Women’s Health in Resource Poor Settings
  Margaret Kasaro, UNC Global Projects Zambia, UNC CFAR

10:35 a.m. Oral Abstract Presentations

• Hormonal contraception and women’s HIV acquisition risk in Rwandan discordant couples, 2002-2011 
  Kristin Wall, Emory University CFAR
• Experiences of side effects among new contraceptive implant users concomitantly using efavirenz- or dolutegravir-containing
  Randy Stalter, UW/Fred Hutch CFAR
• Tailoring a gender-specific HIV cure strategy using NK cells expanded ex vivo
  Mary Ann Checkley, Case Western Reserve CFAR
• Distribution of I.V. injected Cu64, Zr89, and fluorescently labeled VRC01 and VRC01-LS in the in vivo Rhesus Macaque Model
  Ann Carias, Northwestern University / Third Coast CFAR

12:10 p.m. Networking Mentoring Lunch

1:20 p.m. Plenary 2 — Long Acting ARV formulations for treatment and prevention: Are there sex differences?

• Clinical Research: Sex differences in LA-CBV
  Kim Smith, ViiV Healthcare
• Clinical Trials: New clinical trials in LA-ARV; Long acting ARVs in Non-Adherent populations
  Aadia Rana, UAB CFAR
• Sociobehavioral: Acceptability of long-acting ARV formulations in MSM populations
  Bob Schieffer, Northwestern University CFAR
• Sociobehavioral: Acceptability of long-acting ARV formulations in young women in SSA
  Ariane Van der Stratten, UCSF-Gladstone CFAR

3:25 p.m. Oral Abstract Presentations

• Controlled Release of Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
  Alice Linying Li, RTI / UNC CFAR
• Development of Subcutaneous Biodegradable Implants Comprised of Long-Acting (LA) Antiretroviral (ARV) and Hormonal Contraceptive
  Archana Krovi, RTI / UNC CFAR
• Shots don’t bother me: how a history of injectable medication and/or substance use impact HIV-positive women’s attitudes toward, and willingness to use, long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy
  Morgan Philibin, Columbia University

4:30 p.m. The Value of Cross-Disciplinary Research to End the HIV Epidemic

• Welcome from Third Coast CFAR Director
  Richard D’Aquila, Northwestern University / Third Coast CFAR
• Remaking a Life: How Women With HIV/AIDS Confront Inequality
  Celeste Watkins-Hayes, Northwestern University / Third Coast CFAR

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Poster Abstract Presentations and Reception
Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer will be served

Day Two

8:15 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8:40 a.m. Opening Remarks Susan Cu-Uvin, Brown University / Providence-Boston CFAR

8:45 a.m. Plenary 3 — Optimization of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Cis and Trans Women and Men

• Overview of PrEP Efficacy, Adherence, and Delivery in Cisgender Women
  Lisa Hirschhorn, Northwestern University, Third Coast CFAR
• Overview of PrEP Efficacy, Adherence, and Delivery in Cisgender Men
  Al Liu, SFDPH Bridge HIV / UCSF-Gladstone CFAR
• Overview of PrEP Efficacy, and Delivery in Transgender Populations
  Jae Sevelius, UCSF-Gladstone CFAR
• Basic Science: Mechanisms of Sex Difference in PrEP function
  MacKenzie Cottrell, UNC CFAR
• Clinical Trial: Dapivirine Ring Progress
  Sharon Hillier, University of Pittsburgh

11:00 a.m. Oral Abstract Presentations

• Understanding PrEP Persistence among Ciswomen & Transgender Patients
  Maria Pyra, Howard Brown Health
• Para mi Misma: Providing PrEP in combination with gender affirming care in a community-based setting for trans Latinas
  Sophia Zamudio-Haas, UCSF-Gladstone CFAR
• Assessing the implications of a hormonal contraceptive in a multipurpose prevention implant for unintended pregnancy and HIV prevention: Qualitative insights from South Africa and Zimbabwe
  Mary Kate Shapley-Quinn, RTI / UNC CFAR

12:15 p.m. Networking Mentoring Lunch

1:30 p.m. Closing Talks

1:45 p.m. Group Mentorship Session for Early Career Investigators

• How to Get Your Work Noticed: Engaging Policy Makers and Media
  Brian Mustanski, Third Coast CFAR
• Tips and Resources for Early Career Investigators: A Panel with Representatives from NIH
  Denise Russo, NICHD; Natalie Tomitch, OAR;
  Joana Roe, NIAID; Samantha Calabrese, NICHD
  Download Slides from NIH Panel (PDF)

3:00 p.m. Symposium Concludes

• Remove Posters from LaSalle Ballroom II