Duke CFAR Newsletter - May 8, 2024
In this newsletter:
News from the CFAR
Upcoming Events
Funding Opportunities
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Congratulations, graduates! | |
The dedication, hard work, and passion from students and trainees make a significant impact on research projects at the Duke CFAR. Congratulations to this weekend's graduates and best wishes in your future endeavors! | |
LaTonya Williams and Justin Pollara receive awards at 2024 HVTN Full Group Meeting | |
The 2024 Full Group Meeting of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) took place May 1-3, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The conference is attended by HVTN Network PIs, staff, and invited guests from all over the world. Every year at the Full Group Meeting, HVTN Leadership presents awards to recognize clinical site staff and affiliated individuals who have made significant contributions to the Network. | |
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LaTonya Williams, PhD received the 2024 HVTN Bonnie Mathieson Young Investigator Award for her outstanding publication and discovery of how vaccines can tune antibody specificities. The article, "Viral vector delivered immunogen focuses HIV-1 antibody specificity and increases durability of the circulating antibody recall response" was published in PLoS Pathogens.
The Bonnie Mathieson Young Investigator Award is presented annually to recognize young investigators who have published an outstanding first author, co-first author, or senior author paper with the HVTN in the previous year. The award was established to recognize young investigators in honor of Bonnie Mathieson and her unrelenting contributions to the HVTN and dedication to HIV vaccine research.
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Justin Pollara, PhD received an award in recognition of his exceptional scientific communication skills and commitment to using people-first language. His talk, “IgG and Fc receptor genetic variation associates with functional antibody responses in HVTN108 ”, described a recent study performed in his lab to address a common observation that people respond differently when given the same vaccine. Across a population it is normal to see vaccine responses that range from negative or no response to very robust and strong responses. The reasons for these differences are not completely known. Dr. Pollara and his collaborators found that natural diversity in genes that encode antibodies and antibody receptors can impact how strongly a person responds to a vaccine. This research helps to improve understanding of why a vaccine works better for some and could be used to identify those who may benefit from modified vaccines or more boosts.
The award received by Dr. Pollara is part of the HVTN’s ongoing efforts to enhance scientific communication within the network, with the end goals of 1) being inclusive and respectful of the diverse members of the Network and 2) maximizing impact and sharing successes with the broader community. A collaborative working group of community representatives and HVTN investigators from various disciplines—clinical, basic, biostatistical, and social and behavioral sciences— provided resources for presenters to support clear communication. The award was established to highlight and honor exemplary communication, a crucial skill in advancing HVTN’s advocacy for vaccines and prevention strategies, particularly in the context of HIV research. As you reflect on this goal within your own work, consider exploring our Communication Tips and Resources on the CFAR website or scheduling a CFAR consult for additional support.
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Special Issue of Nursing Clinics includes CFAR guest editor and contributors
A new issue of Nursing Clinics of North America (59:2) was published focusing on Care of People Living with HIV: Contemporary Issues. The issue was edited by Kara S. McGee, DMS, MSPH, PA-C, AAHIVS, Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Nursing and Associate Professor in Medicine.
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McGee shared, “This special issue provides an update on the epidemiology of HIV in the United States and contemporary care and treatment approaches for people living with and at risk of HIV. In addition, this issue includes discussion of the some of the unique issues faced by people living with HIV, including criminalization of HIV and experiences of stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. All of the authors discuss the ongoing disparities and inequities faced by historically marginalized populations at risk for or living with HIV and offer suggestions for how health professionals can mitigate the impact of these inequalities.”
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Webinar: bnAbs for Infant HIV Prophylaxis
Thursday, May 9, 2024 | 9am ET | Zoom
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We are excited to include here your invitation to a webinar on key messages to community audiences on bnAbs for Infant prophylaxis from our work with a network of community voices in key SSA countries impacted by vertical transmission.
In February 2023, a stakeholder meeting was convened to discuss the clinical plan for bnAbs for HIV infant prophylaxis. An area of consensus was a recognition of the need to (1) identify a broader group of community, (2) engage and incorporate their feedback through the product development pathway, and (3) create a space where they can voice their thoughts. In follow up to that meeting, the Community Engagement Working Group (CEWG) was formed to develop a set of key messages for the purpose of educating national or local communities on bnAbs to increase community awareness and support community readiness for clinical trials.
We will also be recording the webinar and can circulate to anyone unable to attend.
Register for the webinar.
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Duke CFAR Special Seminar with Dr. Mike Betts
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 | 10-11am ET | Medical Research Building III Room 1125 & Zoom
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Please join us for a CFAR Special Seminar on Wednesday, May 15th in the MRBIII Room 1125.
My DOGMAseq ate your assumptions about the HIV reservoir
Presenter: Mike Betts, PhD
Mike earned his PhD in 1998 from the University of North Carolina in Dr. Jeffrey Frelinger's lab working on human T cell responses to HIV. He continued this work during his postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Rick Kroup at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and then at the NIH Vaccine Research Center. In 2005, he started his lab at the University of Pennsylvania, where he continues to research the immune response to HIV and other viral infections in humans, most recently working on COVID-19.
In person attendance is encouraged, but you can join virtually at this link:
https://duke.zoom.us/j/93752568444?pwd=U2xNSmQwcm0wTHpyenFKeVEzSnNJdz09
Meeting ID: 937 5256 8444
Passcode: 771755
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2024 Matthews Lecture featuring Dr. John Wherry
Thursday, May 16, 2024 | 4-5:15pm ET | Trent Semans Learning Center Great Hall
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Dr. John Wherry, from University of Pennsylvania will be giving the 2024 Matthews Lecture at Duke.
“Molecular Mechanisms of CD8 T-Cell Exhaustion”
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend on Thursday, May 16th, 2024,
4:00-5:15PM, Great Hall of the Trent Semans Learning Center, with a reception to immediately follow.
8 Searle Center Drive
Durham, NC 27710
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Host:
Kent J. Weinhold, Ph.D.
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About the Matthews Lecture
Thomas James Matthews was born in Denver, Colorado on April 4, 1945 and grew up in Evergreen, Colorado. After high school, he left Evergreen to attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins, majoring in chemistry. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Missouri where he received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1971. Following post-doctoral training in Dr. Roland Rueckert’s picornavirus laboratory at the University of Wisconsin, Tom came to Dani Bolognesi’s laboratory in the Department of Surgery at Duke in 1977. Tom’s initial research investigated the use of MuLV antigens expressed on the surface of tumor cells as model tumor associated antigens in the evaluation and development of novel cancer immunotherapy strategies. In 1984, his attention turned to HIV-1, where he focused on envelope structure/function studies that resulted in his pivotal description of the principal neutralization domain residing in the V3 loop of gp120. His search for potential vaccine targets within the viral envelope led to his discovery of a peptide from gp41 (DP-178) that was extremely potent in blocking the process of viral entry. Tom and Dani founded the company Trimeris in order to explore the therapeutic potential of this new class of antiviral compounds. As Senior Vice President of Research & Development, Tom’s efforts led to the licensure of Fuzeon in March of 2003. Tom continued his active pursuit of improved entry inhibitors until his untimely death on December 20, 2004.
Tom is survived by his wife Ginger, three beloved daughters Shandra, Terri, and Cynthia, three grandchildren, as well as his brother Gary and sister Susan.
Tom was a consummate scientist who was driven by his thirst for discovery, creativity, and the challenges brought about by new insights. Life itself was a continuing adventure for him, whether it involved his many hobbies, Duke basketball, or his beloved family and friends. We are all far better for having known him and dedicate this lecture series to his life in hopes that it will serve as an inspiration to present as well as future generations of scientists.
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ID Grand Rounds featuring Dr. Charlie Burns: Discovering New Access Points to PrEP
Monday, May 20, 2024 | 3-4pm ET | Room 131, Hanes House & Zoom
Department of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases Presents:
INFECTIOUS DISEASES GRAND ROUNDS
May 20, 2024
Charles M. Burns, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases
Duke University Medical Center
“Discovering New Access Points to PrEP: 2024 Updates”
Zoom information
https://duke.zoom.us/j/98686770700?pwd=SXd1bm1YditFdWxmM0pkclRlQlljdz09
Meeting ID: 986 8677 0700
Password: 205062
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Save the Date: 2024 Norman L. Letvin, MD, Memorial Lecture featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 | 3-4pm ET | Penn Pavilion & Livestream
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“HIV/AIDS: Science, Policy, and a Personal Journey”
Featuring Anthony S. Fauci, MD
Distinguished University Professor
Georgetown University
School of Medicine, Department of Medicine
McCourt School of Public Policy
Co-hosted by Duke Consortia for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), Duke Human Vaccine Institute and Duke University School of Medicine.
Seats are limited. Registration and livestream link coming soon.
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Registration open for Summer Writing Seminars
July & August 2024 | Virtual
Registration is open for two seminars to be held this summer to support scholarly writing and grantsmanship for Duke faculty, trainees, and staff:
1. WRITE WINNING NIH GRANT PROPOSALS
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A virtual seminar from Grant Writers' Seminars and Workshops focusing on writing successful NIH grant proposals
- Dates and times: July 17 and 18, 8:30am - 12:30 pm ET (must attend both sessions)
2. WRITING AND PUBLISHING HIGH-IMPACT RESEARCH MANUSCRIPTS
Access the Duke Office of Research Initiatives website for more information and to register.
Learn more about the workshops.
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Applications due May 15 for HVTN's Translational HIV Vaccine Early Stage Investigator 2024 Conference
October 21, 2024| New Orleans, LA
The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) will host the 8th Translational HIV Vaccine Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 21, 2024, prior to the NHP AIDS Symposium.
This conference is intended for ESIs who focus on translational HIV research in non-human primates (NHPs), or clinical HIV and TB research, and are within 10 years of completing their terminal research degree (PhD, MD, DVM), medical residency, or equivalent. Investigators will participate in career mentoring and networking designed for ESI working in translational HIV research. Past attendees have stated that the Conference has increased their skills and knowledge for career development and provided them with a venue to form new collaborations.
There is no fee to attend the ESI conference. Attendees will also be invited to an NIH-sponsored pediatric-oriented meeting on Tuesday, October 22.
Registration is now open at the following link: 2024 ESI Conference Registration
The HVTN will provide a limited number of travel awards to attend this conference. This award will cover airfare, hotel, registration fees for the NHP AIDS Symposium, ground transportation, and per diem. The application is now open at the following link, and the deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 15, 2024: 2024 ESI Conference Travel Award Application
Learn more and register for the ESI Conference.
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Fogarty offers HIV grant supplements
Fogarty, supported with funds from the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) at NIH invites supplement applications from currently funded HIV/AIDS research or research training grants to initiate research on the emerging need to address critical gaps in understanding the impact of HIV on the health of Women Living with HIV (WLWH).
NOT-TW-24-005 - Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) on Catalyzing Research and Training on the Impact of HIV on the Health Across the Lifespan of Women Living with HIV Through Administrative Supplements to Existing Fogarty International Center’s HIV Programs
Application deadline: June 20, 2024
Other HIV-related Fogarty opportunities
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New NIH funding opportunities
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USAID Request for Information related to HIV vaccine R&D
Accelerating HIV Vaccine Research and Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC)
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Global Health (GH) is publishing this Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information and input that will be used to help make planning decisions. It may inform the design of future activities related to accelerating HIV vaccine research and development in low- and middle-income countries.
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