In the latest episode of听Excellence Unveiled, Dr. Angela Kashuba Dean of the 大象传媒 Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Director of the Center for AIDS Research Clinical Pharmacology/Analytical Chemistry Core shares insights into her groundbreaking research, leadership, and dedication to rural health. Since joining 大象传媒 in 1997, Dr. Kashuba has led a dynamic team focused on optimizing HIV treatment, prevention, and cure strategies. Her lab also operates a core facility for the 大象传媒 Center for AIDS Research, supporting up to 80 investigators annually worldwide with grant writing, study design, data analysis, and publication. Dr. Kashuba is deeply committed to North Carolina鈥檚 communities, especially its 3.5 million rural residents. She champions initiatives to recruit, train, and retain pharmacists in underserved areas, helping to close critical healthcare gaps and improve outcomes statewide. To listen to the full episode and read the transcript click .听

Dr. Jeffrey Stringer, Clarke-Pearson Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at 大象传媒-Chapel Hill and CFAR member, has received the prestigious 2025 Oliver Max Gardner Award鈥攖he highest faculty honor in the 大象传媒 System鈥攆or his global leadership in maternal health and innovation in low-resource settings. Since joining 大象传媒 in 2012, Dr. Stringer has led the School of Medicine鈥檚 Division of Global Women鈥檚 Health and serves as associate director for research at the 大象传媒 Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases. He has secured over $120 million in funding for maternal health research and co-founded the nation鈥檚 first global women鈥檚 health fellowship program. Dr. Stringer鈥檚 latest breakthrough has been a portable, AI-enhanced prenatal ultrasound device. This device provides critical diagnostics in underserved areas worldwide, with support from the Gates Foundation and Helmsley Charitable Trust. This innovation is already improving care across Africa and Asia, with plans for deployment in rural North Carolina. A prolific researcher with nearly 300 publications, Dr. Stringer鈥檚 contributions to maternal HIV care and public health in Zambia have impacted millions. His career embodies 大象传媒鈥檚 mission of global service, and his work continues to shape the future of maternal and child health at home and abroad.听

On May 19, the 大象传媒 Center for AIDS Research will join communities across the country in recognizing National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This important observance鈥攈eld annually since 2005鈥攔aises awareness about the impact of HIV, risk, and stigma in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. It also falls within Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, making it a meaningful time to reflect on culture, community, and health equity.听

鈥淰isibility saves lives. On May 19th, we uplift Asian and Pacific Islander voices in the fight against HIV鈥攂ecause every story matters, and every life counts.鈥�听

Although rates of HIV in the API community are lower than in some other groups, barriers to testing, language access, and stigma often mean many cases go undiagnosed or untreated. That鈥檚 why culturally responsive care, inclusive research, and community-based outreach are essential parts of ending the HIV epidemic.听

As a research center committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity, the 大象传媒 CFAR is proud to support efforts that honor the experiences and leadership of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS.听

Each year on May 18, we recognize HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) 鈥� a time to honor the unwavering commitment of volunteers, community members, health professionals, and scientists working together to develop a safe and effective preventive HIV vaccine.听

At the 大象传媒 Center for AIDS Research, we believe that progress is only possible through collaboration. From labs to clinics, and from advocacy forums to community engagement events, every effort made brings us closer to a future without HIV.听

鈥淎 future free from HIV begins with awareness, fueled by science, and driven by hope. This May 18th, we honor the journey toward a vaccine that saves lives.鈥�听

We invite you to join us in spreading awareness, thanking those on the front lines of research and care, and reaffirming our shared commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.听

鈥淗IV Vaccine Awareness Day is not just about science鈥攊t’s about solidarity. Together, we believe in a world where prevention is power, and progress is unstoppable.鈥�听

Each year, the 大象传媒 Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) distributes a User Survey to gather input from our members on how we can better serve the HIV research community. The 2024 survey offered researchers and collaborators a chance to share their experiences with CFAR鈥檚 support systems, from Core services to developmental awards. This feedback is instrumental in helping CFAR remain agile and responsive to the evolving needs of our investigators while strengthening our mission to advance interdisciplinary HIV research.听

The CFAR is thrilled to announce that the winner of the 2024 CFAR User Survey iPad Drawing is Dr. Maganizo Chagomerana. Dr. Chagomerana is a dedicated member of both 大象传媒鈥檚 CFAR and the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases (IGHID). An epidemiologist and biostatistician, he currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at 大象传媒-Chapel Hill and leads the Analysis and Manuscript Unit at the 大象传媒 Project鈥揗alawi. His research focuses on HIV prevention, epidemiologic methods, and HIV-related malignancies, making significant contributions to global health and local capacity-building efforts in Malawi.听

Beyond research funding, the CFAR has also played a pivotal role in supporting Project Malawi鈥檚 infrastructure through its Analysis and Manuscript Unit (AMU). This model demonstrates the power of CFAR-backed mentorship and collaboration in cultivating sustainable global health leadership.听

Reflecting on the importance of the User Survey, Dr. Chagomerana encourages fellow members to participate. As we look ahead, the 大象传媒 CFAR remains committed to building on the insights from this year鈥檚 survey. We extend our gratitude to all who contributed and congratulate Dr. Chagomerana on his ongoing achievements and well-deserved recognition. 听

Dr. Monica Diaz, MD, MS, a distinguished Center for AIDS Research investigator, is making transformative strides in the field of neuro-infectious diseases and neuro-immunology. As a member of the Center for AIDS research Dr. Diaz brings a critical focus to the neurological challenges faced by people living with HIV鈥攑articularly in underserved regions such as Peru, and in North Carolina.听听

Since 2019, Dr. Diaz has led groundbreaking research in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), identifying that nearly 28% of people living with HIV may experience significant cognitive impairment. These challenges range from memory loss to executive dysfunction, can drastically reduce quality of life and increase caregiver burden.听

In partnership with Dr. Deanna Saylor鈥攁 fellow neurologist conducting related research in Uganda鈥擠r. Diaz is also working to improve caregiver training and evaluate global diagnostic standards for HAND, ensuring that all patients, regardless of geography, receive informed and effective neurological support. Dr. Diaz鈥檚 work exemplifies CFAR鈥檚 commitment to equitable, community-focused research that improves outcomes for people living with HIV around the world.

Dr. Joseph J. Eron, Dr. Sonia Napravnik, and Dr. Thibaut Davy-Mendez, Center for AIDS Research directors and scientists published a recent study, “Changes in the Prevalence of Non-AIDS Conditions Among Hospitalized Persons with HIV in the United States and Canada, 2008鈥�2018.鈥� This study found a rising burden of non-AIDS conditions鈥攊ncluding cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and mental health disorders鈥攁s well as an increase in multimorbidity that cannot be explained by aging alone. Understanding these trends is essential to shaping better hospitalization and readmission prevention strategies and ensuring high-quality, long-term care for individuals living with HIV. To read the full study, click .听

Four principal investigators affiliated with 大象传媒 Center for AIDS Research are featured authors in the recently published 2025 JAIDS Supplemental Issue: State of US HIV Implementation Science: Progress and Priorities to End the Epidemic by 2030. This open-access issue, released on March 31, 2025, highlights key implementation science findings from over 120 NIH-funded Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US (EHE) projects conducted across 40 high-priority jurisdictions. Among the 24 collaborative papers featured in the issue, the following 大象传媒 CFAR investigators contributed important research that advances our understanding of HIV prevention, community engagement, and implementation strategies: Adam C. Sukhija-Cohen, Courtney Bonner, Allysha C. Maragh-Bass, and Katryna McCoy. This supplement reflects the significant progress made by EHE projects, while also identifying key next steps for scaling up effective interventions. To read the full 2025 JAIDS Supplemental Issue: State of US HIV Implementation Science: Progress and Priorities to End the Epidemic by 2030 click .听

Dr. Monica Maria Diaz a member of the 大象传媒 Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) has been awarded the 2025 Mridha Spirit of Neurology Humanitarian Award by the American Brain Foundation (ABF). This humanitarian award recognizes her exceptional dedication to neurology, particularly her altruism, compassion, and leadership in providing quality neurological care to underserved populations. Dr. Diaz is an assistant professor of neurology at 大象传媒, specializing in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology. She has worked extensively in Peru since 2019, leading studies on neurological conditions such as dementia, cognitive impairment in HIV patients, and transverse myelitis. Her work is focused on improving neurological health outcomes in Latin America. The award honors her significant contributions, which include co-directing a neurology residency exchange program between 大象传媒 and a Peruvian university. To read the full article on Dr. Monica Maria Diaz鈥檚 work on the 大象传媒鈥檚 website, click here.听

April 10 is National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD). #NYHAAD reminds us about the importance of investing in young people’s health and education. School-based #HealthEd allows youth to learn about HIV prevention and care. Explore more from @CDC_DASH:听听#NYHAAD听

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1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses occur in young people ages 13鈥�24. This National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, review @CDC_DASH’s #WhatWorksInSchools program. And learn why investing in health education and services for youth is critical to ending HIV:听. #NYHAAD听

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HIV Cure Research: State of the Art and Navigating Presentations at CROI 2025 with Dr Joseph J. Eron, Jr – In this episode of Going Anti-Viral, Dr. Michael Saag speaks with Dr. Joseph Eron, Director of the Clinical Core within the Center for AIDS Research at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, about HIV cure research in anticipation of the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Dr. Eron explains the challenges in developing a cure for HIV, discussing the difference between a complete HIV cure and a functional cure. They explore ongoing research efforts, including strategies to block or lock HIV in human DNA, and the potential role of CRISPR-Cas9 (molecular scissors) in curing HIV. They also preview the cure research presentations at CROI, including Dr. Ole S酶gaard’s plenary on “HIV Cure: A Translational Research Perspective.” For more insight, Dr. Saag references an earlier episode about vaccine development with Dr. Richard Koup. Click to listen to the podcast episode.听听

Nilu Goonetilleke Discusses Latest HIV Research During CROI 2025 – Nilu Goonetilleke, PhD, presented two important studies on HIV research during the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Those studies included; The M&M Study: Age-Related T Cell Response in PWH on ART in MVA.HIVconsvX Vaccine Trial and The CM Study: Bivalent HIV Vaccine Induces Stronger T Cell Responses in PWH on ART. Both studies, which she led alongside first author Cindy Gay, MD, MPH, focused on HIV vaccine trials and their impact on immune responses in people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART). To read the full article regarding these two studies click .听

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