Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · 22h

ICYMI - our October newsletter is out and boy do we have a lot of news to share!

Next week we will share the 1st issue of our research news digest, highlighting important #HIVresearch from our investigators and collaborators.

Join our mailing list at midwestdcfar.org (scroll to the bottom)

Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research

Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University have joined forces to establish the Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research (Midwest D-CFAR) as a platform for researchers and publ...

midwestdcfar.org

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · 1d

Get those proposals ready! WashU, SLU, and Harris-Stowe faculty who are early-stage investigators (or others who are new to #HIV research) are eligible to apply for our pilot funding opportunities.

Letters of intent are due October 31!

Details: www.midwestdcfar.org/funding

Funding — Midwest D-CFAR

www.midwestdcfar.org

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · 10d

Registration for the 2026 Mentoring the Mentors Workshop for HIV Researchers IS NOW OPEN! This training is designed to support faculty engaged in #HIV research to strengthen their #mentoring capabilities. Travel scholarships are available. @ucsfprevention.bsky.social
cfar.ucsf.edu/mentoring/ev...

Graphic promoting the Mentoring the Mentors Workshop for HIV Researchers, taking place January 13-14, 2026 at the University of California, San Francisco.

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · 13d

Join us for a *free lunch* and candid conversation with visiting scholar (and rockstar researcher) Dr. Elizabeth Bukusi on the WashU Medicine Department of Medicine campus today at noon!

www.midwestdcfar.org/events/eliza...

Conversation with Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Elizabeth Bukusi — Midwest D-CFAR

The Midwest D-CFAR is hosting an informal lunchtime conversation with Elizabeth A. Bukusi, MBChB, PhD, MMed, MPH, Chief Research Officer of the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

www.midwestdcfar.org

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · 15d

After decades of benefiting from robust federal funding, much of it bipartisan, #HIV advocates have watched as the current Trump administration has targeted prevention and treatment efforts for the disease with steep cuts. www.nbcnews.com/health/sexua...

Republicans seek deep cuts to HIV prevention and treatment funding

Cuts proposed by the Trump administration and House Republicans could drive up new HIV cases by more than 200,000 by 2030, one expert projects.

www.nbcnews.com

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · 20d

A new viewpoint article in @thelancet.com co-authored by our director, @elvingeng.bsky.social, addresses one of the most pressing #publichealth challenges in #HIV treatment: effectively re-engaging people who have fallen out of care.

🔗 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

A research framework to support re-engagement and continuous engagement in HIV care

Globally, in 2024, 87% of all people living with HIV knew their HIV status, and among people aware of their status and on treatment, 94% were virally …

www.sciencedirect.com

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Reposted by Midwest D-CFAR

saveaidsresearch.bsky.social @saveaidsresearch.bsky.social · 21d

24 Hours to Save AIDS Research is now available on YouTube! Tune in to sessions you may have missed, revisit moments you enjoyed, and access moving testimonials from people around the world. And help us get the word out!! bit.ly/45Qftts #saveAIDSresearch #HIV #HIVresearch

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · 22d

Dr. Elizabeth Bukusi is visiting WashU next week! Dr. Bukusi has made significant contributions to #HIV prevention, care, and treatment. Get to know her in our latest news post and consider joining us for lunch on October 2! www.midwestdcfar.org/news-and-upd...

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Sep 15

TOMORROW is a big day! The 24 Hours to #SaveAIDSResearch livestream commences!

Starting at 10:00 CDT, researchers, advocates, and others will reflect on decades of US federal investment in #HIV research – and what is at risk amid funding cuts. Don’t miss this!

details: saveaidsresearch.org

24 Hours to Save AIDS Research

You've been invited to join this webinar!

bit.ly

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Sep 12

Get some vitamin D and enjoy social time with the #HIVresearch and Midwest D-CFAR community in Tower Grove Park this afternoon! We'll be at the Chinese Pavilion starting at 4pm. Bring food and games to share! www.midwestdcfar.org/events/swg-s...

SWG & SAC Potluck and Social — Midwest D-CFAR

Members of the Midwest D-CFAR Scientific Working Group and advisory committees are invited to bring their families and join us for a picnic.

www.midwestdcfar.org

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Sep 10

We have posted the answers that we received to last month's question (how do I build a solid professional network in HIV?) here: www.midwestdcfar.org/news-and-upd...

How do I build a solid professional network within the HIV research community? — Answers from our network. — Midwest D-CFAR

Crowdsourced answers to the question: How do I build a solid professional network in the HIV research community?

www.midwestdcfar.org

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Sep 10

Share your wisdom and help out your colleagues! This month, we are crowd-sourcing answers to this question:

🔵 🟡
What strategies should I use to ensure meaningful participation of community members in my research studies?
🔵 🟡

Reply here to let us know your thoughts! 👇

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Sep 8

Share your story and be part of the 24-hour livestream to save #HIV/#AIDS research! Organizers are collecting video testimonials from researchers, advocates, patients, and more about why it is crucial to #saveAIDSresearch. Learn more and make your voice heard: saveaidsresearch.org/share-your-s...

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Sep 5

Over the coming months, the US will be working with countries with the largest #HIV/ #AIDS epidemics to develop rollout strategies with a focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission. www.npr.org/sections/goa...

Why the medical community is thrilled by U.S. support for a 'breakthrough' HIV drug

Lenacapavir has the potential to end the HIV epidemic, researchers say. The Trump administration says backing this kind of effort will be a model for how it does global health work in the future.

www.npr.org

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Sep 3

Starting soon! Our #HIV Works-in-Progress September session (the first one of the new academic year), featuring Drs. Enbal Shacham and Javan Kisaka! Join us on Zoom at 2pm CT. www.midwestdcfar.org/events/hiv-w...

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Sep 2

The Midwest D-CFAR is glad to support this important virtual event! Researchers and advocates from around the world will present on what has been achieved through decades of federal investment in #HIV research and what we stand to lose if US budget cuts proceed as planned. #saveAIDSresearch

saveaidsresearch.bsky.social @saveaidsresearch.bsky.social · Aug 29

Announcing 24 Hours to Save AIDS Research! Join us September 16 starting at 11am ET as we come together in community, share insights, answer questions, and inspire action! Register bit.ly/45U1keO and join us on YouTube bit.ly/45Qftts #saveAIDSresearch

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Aug 27

We're kicking off the 2025-2026 academic year with a bang! Join us this Thursday on Zoom for a talk by Francesco Simonetti on targeting HIV-1 viremia during therapy to improve clinical outcomes and perturb #HIV persistence.

Register: www.midwestdcfar.org/events/grand...

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Aug 14

⁉️How can someone build a solid professional network within the HIV research community? ⁉️

Share your advice - help out your colleagues! ⚡️

Comment your answer, or email us: admin at midwestdcfar.org.

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Aug 1

Exciting news! And yet another example of how investing in #HIV research saves lives.

WIRED @wired.com · Aug 1

Evidence is growing that some HIV-infected infants, if given antiretroviral drugs early in life, are able to suppress their viral loads to undetectable levels and then come off the medicine. www.wired.com/story/the-fi...

The First Widespread Cure for HIV Could Be in Children

Evidence is growing that some HIV-infected infants, if given antiretroviral drugs early in life, are able to suppress their viral loads to undetectable levels and then come off the medicine.

www.wired.com

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Jul 25

📣 TALK TO US!

We are crowdsourcing #HIV research questions and we want to hear from you!

Do you have a question you'd like experienced researchers to weigh in on?

Let us know in the comments! We'll post them to our website to get answers.

(📷 Emily Morter/Unsplash)

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Jul 24

Time sure flies when you are having fun!

The Midwest D-CFAR is celebrating ONE YEAR of facilitating and accelerating #HIVresearch in Missouri and beyond. We recap some of our favorite memories from our first year on our website. Let us know yours!

www.midwestdcfar.org/news-and-upd...

Midwest D-CFAR Impact - Year One (2024-2025) — Midwest D-CFAR

Read highlights from the first year of the Midwest D-CFAR’s existence - celebrating what we have accomplished together.

www.midwestdcfar.org

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Reposted by Midwest D-CFAR

D&I at WashU @washu-dandi.bsky.social · Jul 21

The Global Oncology #ImpSci Symposium is accepting abstracts (til August 15)! Theme: Building on the #HIV Response: A Roadmap for Global Oncology.

Submissions should advance knowledge on #oncology and/or D&I science in low-resource or global settings.

More info: sites.wustl.edu/globaloncolo...

Flyer for Global Oncology Implementation Science Symposium. Theme: Building on the HIV Response: A Roadmap for Global Oncology.

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Reposted by Midwest D-CFAR

Northeast Florida AIDS Network @nfanjax.bsky.social · Jul 21

Today, July 21, we unite for #ZeroHIVStigmaDay. This day & every day, let's choose dignity, respect, & science over fear. We are all #HIVStigmaWarriors this year because ending #HIVStigma takes all of us! Join the movement. HIV Stigma is a choice. Ending it is, too. #endHIVstigma #uequalsu #nfanjax

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Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Jul 18

Although #PEPFAR cuts were left out of the latest federal rescissions package, future #HIV funding remains uncertain. What does this mean for HIV researchers? And more importantly, for those living with HIV? The latest episode of 1a on @npr.org covers this. the1a.org/segments/the...

The future of US funding for HIV treatment and prevention

Donald Trump asked to cut hundreds of millions for treatment and prevention. It seems to be safe, for now.

the1a.org

Midwest D-CFAR @midwestdcfar.bsky.social · Jul 17

Through photo shoots and community presentations, LOTUS provides a safe space for women living with #HIV to “share experiences, challenges, and triumphs while building community and resilience."

Peer support groups bridge critical gaps in HIV care

Freda Jones, founder of LOTUS, empowers women living with HIV in Atlanta through a peer-led support group. Peer support is crucial for HIV care.

theatlantavoice.com