Third Coast CFAR 2023 Symposium Overview

The Third Coast CFAR hosted its 2023 HIV Research Symposium on October 16th at the Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago. There were over 160 attendees, 18 oral presentations, and 40 poster presentations. The event highlighted the work of HIV investigators based at local institutions, including RUSH University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Northwestern University, and offered exciting networking opportunities. We thank all the presenters, attendees, planning committee, and staff for making the symposium a wonderful success!

9:45 a.m.
Registration

10:00 a.m.
Poster Set-up Completed

10:30 a.m.
Welcome from CFAR Director Brian Mustanski, PhD

10:40 a.m.
Opening Session: Cross-disciplinary Updates on Recent Advancements in HIV Research
Chair: Michael Newcomb, PhD, Northwestern University

• Basic Science
  Lena Al-Harthi, PhD, RUSH University
• Clinical Sciences and Biomedical Interventions
  Jessica Ridgway, MD, University of Chicago
• Behavioral Science
  Amy Johnson, PhD, Northwestern University and Lurie Children’s Hospital
• Public Health Priorities and Opportunities for Research
  Dave Kern, Chicago Department of Public Health

11:25 a.m.
Session 1: Understanding and Addressing HIV Comorbidities
Chair: Richard Novak, MD, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Skeletal Responses to HIV and Antiretrovirals
  Ryan Ross, PhD, RUSH University
• Biological Basis of HIV-Associated Cardiovascular Diseases
  Matthew Feinstein, MD, Northwestern University
• HIV-Associated Cardiometabolic Comorbidities: Getting to the Heart of the Matter
  Jennifer Jao, MD, MPH, Northwestern University and Lurie Children’s Hospital
• The Role of the Brain’s Central Executive Network in Comorbidities of HIV
  Joshua Schrock, PhD, Northwestern University

12:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:15 p.m.
Session 2: Accelerating the HIV Prevention and Care Continuums
Chair: Sybil Hosek, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Development and Dissemination of PrEP4Teens: A Social Marketing Campaign to Raise PrEP Awareness and Knowledge Among Chicago Area Adolescents
  Kathryn Macapagal, PhD, Northwestern University
• Considering Structural Factors in HIV: Perspectives on the Legal Context of Employment for Men
  Darnell Motley, PhD, University of Chicago
• Persistent HIV Viral Suppression During Treatment Interruption in the CDC HIV Outpatient Study
  Richard Novak, MD, University of Illinois at Chicago

2:15 p.m.
Break

2:30 p.m.
Session 3: From Development to Application: Innovations in Methods and Models
Chair: Elena Martinelli, PhD, Northwestern University

• Using Humanized Mice to Study the Dynamics of HIV Infection and Antiretroviral Therapy
  Jennillee Wallace, PhD, RUSH University
• Generation of Microglia-Containing Organoids and Cyclic Multiplex Immunofluorescence for HIV Infection Studies
  João Mamede, PhD, RUSH University
• Glycoengineering Anti-HIV Antibodies to Increase Delivery to the Brain: Implications for Targeting the CNS HIV Reservoir
  Jeffrey Schneider, PhD, RUSH University
• Characterization of the Transcriptional Microenvironment of the SIV Tissue Reservoirs at the Single Focus Level During ART and Post ATI
  Ramon Lorenzo Redondo, PhD, Northwestern University

3:20 p.m.
Session 4: From Development to Application: Innovations in Methods and Models
Chair: Héctor Torres, PsyD, Colibrí Counseling

• Understanding Status Neutral Approaches for Same Day Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Community Health Settings
  Moira McNulty, MD, University of Chicago
• Capacity Building and Status Neutral Approaches to Ending the HIV Epidemic
  Russell Brewer, DrPH, University of Chicago
• Moving from Community Engagement to Empowerment: Strategies from the PrEPárate Campaign
  Harita Shah, MD, University of Chicago

4:00 p.m.
Invitation to Poster Session from CFAR Steering Committee Member John Schneider, MD, MPH

4:05 p.m.
Closing Remarks from CFAR Co-Director Richard D’Aquila, MD

4:10 p.m.
Poster Session and Reception — Wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres 

6:00 p.m.
Symposium Concludes