TABLE OF CONTENTS
HANC ANNOUNCEMENTS
NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
HANC PROGRAM UPDATES
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
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Phillip Renzullo
Retired Program Officer
NIH/NIAID
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The global HIV/AIDS community has long benefited from Phil Renzullo’s work! Phil served 20 years as a Program Officer for NIH and NIAID. This seasoned research epidemiologist served many communities, particularly the U.S. military population. He championed for HIV vaccines through his work with the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.
All good things must come to an end, and Phil has earned retirement! From the U.S. to Thailand to South Africa, Phil has left his mark as a dedicated researcher and policy maker.
He was kind enough to share more about himself.
Q: Tell us your role and background.
My
first job after receiving my MPH in infectious disease epidemiology was as an epidemiologist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, DC, where I carried out research on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in U.S. military and beneficiary populations. I was a member of the interdisciplinary team that designed the RV 144 Phase 3 HIV vaccine protocol in Thailand. I came to the NIH in 2004 and became a Program Officer for the Leadership and Operations and Statistical and Data Management Centers for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, and the U.S. Military HIV Research Program. I also served as the Deputy Branch Chief in the Vaccine Clinical Research Branch, Division of AIDS, NIAID. I have a BS from Trinity College, an MS from Cornell University, and an MPH from Yale University. I received a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology from Johns Hopkins
University in 1995.
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Q: What goals do you have for the coming year?
My goals for the coming year are first, to enjoy my retirement; then to get more active physically and in my community through volunteering.
Q: Share a career highlight.
There are so many to choose from. I was honored to be a part of the effort to study the HIV epidemic in Thailand and be a part of the team that designed the phase III HIV vaccine trial there. I have worked for and with some of the most influential HIV/AIDS researchers in the world. They have taught me so much and I cherish my memories of these people. I have also been humbled by the amazing and brilliant international colleagues I have worked with over the years in east and south Africa. These people, from community activists to professors, are real heroes. Finally, men and women living with or at-risk for HIV have inspired me to do and be better.
Q: What are your hopes for the future of HIV research?
So much has changed since I began working in the HIV/AIDS field. I am thankful that we have learned so much from studying the virus that for many AIDS is no longer a death sentence. We have wonderful treatment and prevention strategies to keep people safe. However, access for all is lacking. The only sure way to eliminate the disease everywhere is with a vaccine that is available and affordable for all. My ultimate hope is that we have a safe and efficacious vaccine within the next 5 years. I know that my colleagues here at DAIDS and at the HVTN will be on the forefront of this effort; and for that I am truly proud.
Q: What are your passions outside of work?
My primary passion is caring for my 13-year-old Frenchie, Max. I also enjoy playing and watching tennis (I’ve played pickleball but have not become obsessed with it…yet). Cooking (particularly baking) and entertaining are 2 other passions.
Although not the Astronaut or Secret Agent Phil thought he'd become as a child - it's no secret the breadth of his work has travelled far over the globe, informing research and policy in the HIV/AIDS universe. HANC admires Phil's lifelong to commitment to science. All he needs is a cup of coffee in the morning first.
HANC wishes you a happy, restful, and fun retirement!
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Judith Currier on Passing the Baton
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"On December 1, 2024, Dr Joseph Eron will assume the role of ACTG Network Chair, and I will transition to become the Past Chair.
In
my new role I will work to ensure a smooth transition of the Leadership Operations Center from UCLA to UNC. As I reflect on my time in the leadership of this incredible network, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude. The ACTG is a collection of passionate, skilled, and hardworking individuals who come together to advance science and improve the lives of people with HIV. Your contributions have transformed countless lives and communities. The success of the Network is dependent on the input and efforts of all the people who inform the critical components of our work. This includes the global cadre of site personnel, community members, investigators; the lab, data, statistical, network and leadership operations coordinating centers; our partners at DAIDS and in Industry and most of all, the participants who trust us to design and conduct studies that advance the
field. I am thankful for all of you, for your unwavering commitment, resilience, creativity, and dedication to this work through unprecedented times.
It has been my honor and privilege to serve in this role alongside the phenomenal leaders of the Transformative and Collaborative Science Groups and with the exceptional support and guidance from Drs Eron, Hughes, Sanne, Aldrovandi, Koletar and Ms. Cooper. I have been fortunate to have the incomparable team at the Leadership Operations Center at UCLA, led by Licet Garcia along with the invaluable support from Lisa Patton and the team at the NCC.
As I pass the baton, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve as one of your leaders for the past 14 years. I am energized by the promise of the next generation of investigators who bring new perspectives and innovations to the field, and are positioned to advance efforts towards HIV cure, improving antiretroviral therapy, reducing HIV co-morbidities, preventing and treating TB, curing hepatitis, and addressing emerging infectious disease threats. Whatever the obstacles that may come in the days ahead, I am confident in the collective strength of this group and its power to persevere, instill hope for a better future, and improve the health and quality of life of people around the world."
Dr. Judith Currier
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The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Scholars Program. This program includes opportunities for U.S. and non-U.S.-based candidates and is committed to supporting individuals from communities often underrepresented in the HIV research field.
- Are you an early career investigator (defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)?
- Are you part of a racial or ethnic minority community that is underrepresented in the field?
- Are you within 10 years of graduation with a terminal degree, first postdoctoral fellowship, or first medical residency? (Applicable to Domestic program candidates).
- Do you have a strong interest in having a career in HIV prevention?
- Can you commit at least 10% of your time to research?
- Do you have experience conducting research with populations most impacted by HIV?
- Are you able and willing to complete your research project within the 18-month period and develop a manuscript publishing your findings?
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Southern Africa Regional
Scientific Meeting 2024
At
the HVTN’s recent Southern Africa Regional Scientific Meeting (Nov. 5-7, 2024), a series of 4 Master Classes were held to support African investigators in building their skills to understand the immunology data produced during HVTN vaccine studies. During the first Master Class, fundamentals of immunology were presented by Penny Moore of the NICD Lab in Johannesburg, an overview of Discovery Medicine trials was provided by Lindsey Baden from Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital CRS, and Zoe Moodie of SCHARP provided an overview of the statistical analyses done for every protocol. The following 3 classes applied these principles to 3 different protocols: HVTN 137, HVTN 135, and HVTN 302. During Class 2 on HVTN 137, following a protocol overview by protocol chair Julie McElrath, lab scientists and statisticians paired up to present each of the different lab assays that were done to
explain what can be learned from each assay, and how to interpret the read-outs from those assays. On the second day of the meeting, the investigators were divided into two smaller rooms where they worked in small groups with a facilitator to do the same sort of review themselves for Master Classes 3 and 4, covering HVTN 135 and HVTN 302. Using a workbook developed by Alison Roxby, HVTN LOC, and April Randhawa, SCHARP, attendees first heard a protocol overview by Avy Violari, chair of HVTN 135, and Briana Furch, Protocol Team Leader for HVTN 302, and then worked through samples of the various charts and tables provided in protocol team reports, answering questions to confirm their understanding of how to review the data and ensure that they understood its meaning. At the next Class time, the speakers switched rooms so that all attendees got to review both protocols. Subsequent Master
Class opportunities are being planned to extend this learning opportunity to site staff in other regions, and to continue to build on this foundation with a goal of increasing the immunological literacy of staff in the HVTN. We hope to enhance everyone’s ability to understand and explain the results from HVTN studies, whether speaking with scientific colleagues, participants, or community stakeholders.
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IMPAACT P1108 Primary Results Presented at 2024 Union World Conference on Lung Health
The International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) Network proudly announced the publication of primary results from the IMPAACT P1108 study at the 2024 Union World Conference on Lung Health.
Primary results of the study indicated that bedaquiline (BDQ) was safe and well-tolerated in children across all ages at the BDQ dosing evaluated, with pharmacokinetic exposures within the adult target range. Read more here.
IMPAACT Study Updates
IMPAACT 2042 started enrollment on 11 November 2024 at their sites in Botswana. IMPAACT 2042, also known as the Tatelo-Plus study, is designed to evaluate the viral and immune response, including maintenance of HIV suppression, to a combination of three anti-HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) among up to 41 children and youth (24 months to 25 years of age) living with HIV who began receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) soon after birth.
IMPAACT 2016 closed to accrual on 3 October 2024. IMPAACT 2016 is a multi-site, two-arm, randomized, controlled study preceded by a feasibility and acceptability pilot to examine if an Indigenous Leader Outreach Model (ILOM) of trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (TI-CBT) intervention demonstrates improved mental health outcomes and ART adherence for youth living with HIV.
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Behavioral and Social Sciences
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Greg Davis
HANC
Project Manager
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Behavioral Science Consultative Group: The Behavioral Science Consultative Group did not meet in November, but the group continues to work on the measures coordination project that they began working on earlier in the year. The group plans to meet in December to review the remaining outlines.
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Greg Davis
HANC
Project Manager
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Russell Campbell
HANC Director
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Community Partners: Community Partners was joined by Katerina Chapman, Senior Manager, Global Access of IAVI, during the groups November meeting to present their work on a community engagement roadmap. Several members of Community Partners assisted in the development of the roadmap.
Community Partners is looking ahead to 2025. The group plans to spend time developing timelines for their 2025 workgroup objectives during their December meeting
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TB Vaccine Engagement Strategy Working Group: The TB Vaccine Community Engagement Strategy Work Group recently changed their meetings to bi-monthly. Currently, the group is working on developing a map that shows where TB trials are taking place.
Happy 10-year collaboration to ensure communities’ engagement and representation in TB/HIV research!
The Community Research Advisors Group (CRAG) is the community advisory board to the TB Trials Consortium (TBTC) at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The mission of the CRAG is to enhance the value, inclusivity, and impact of TBTC research by providing communities’ perspectives into all TBTC scientific processes and activities.
To address the challenges of TB/HIV and ensure the inclusion of community perspectives in the R&D process, the CRAG, and Community Partners (CP) formed a collaboration to enhance community engagement in TB/HIV clinical research in 2014. Much has been accomplished in these 10 years and we look forward to many more years ahead of this wonderful collaboration to address the needs of global communities.
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Cross-Network Coordination
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Kathleen Pescasio
HANC Cross-Network
Project Manager
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The Cross-Network Site Coordinators Working Group (SCWG) continues to discuss best practices for improving communication lines and support structures across networks. The group is having ongoing conversations on ways to enhance training and mentorship for site coordinators.
The Cross-Network Data Management Center Working Group (DMCWG) discussed ongoing initiatives and updates on survey software tools and study engagement systems. The DMCWG plans to discuss experiences with LOINC implementation.
The Cross-Network Communications Working Group (CWG) shared engagement at recent conferences and network annual meetings. The group continues to discuss experiences with communications tools and resources.
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Tyler Brown
HANC Laboratory
Project Manager
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The Lab Focus Group met in November to discuss several topics, including cross-network laboratory reagent and supply shortages, laboratory record retention practices, and the upcoming review of the terminology guidelines for DAIDS GCLP laboratory action plans.
Announcement: This month, HANC will reconvene the Cross-Network Cold Chain Guidelines Working Group to review and publish an updated version of the guidelines. The guidelines
provide instructions for maintaining optimal cold chain temperatures for specimens during retrieval and shipment. The working group includes reviewers appointed by each network laboratory center, along with members from the DAIDS Clinical Laboratory Oversight Team (DCLOT), and the Immunology Quality Assessment (IQA) group.
Reminder: In September, HANC published a new version of the Cross-Network PBMC Processing SOP (Version 7.0)! The updated SOP is now available on the HANC website for public access in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and Thai. You can access the new document
here. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to us at tdbrown3@fredhutch.org
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Brian Minalga
HANC
Deputy Director
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Cat Banobi
Legacy
Project Manager
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Gabriella Olague
HANC
Project Coordinator
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In
2024, the Legacy Project conducted about 150 activities toward achieving its goal to improve the representation of historically underrepresented populations in HIV research. We reached over 12,000 people through our conference presentations, publications, trainings, educational materials, and more. Thank you so much to all of the members of the Addictophobia Working Group, American Indian & Alaska Native Working Group, Cross-Network Trans and Gender-Diverse Working Group, Latinx Caucus, Legacy Project Working Group, Minority-Serving Institutions Working Group, New Investigators Working Group, the Women’s HIV Research Collaborative, and to the entire HIV workforce for your tireless efforts to end human suffering caused by HIV–for all. We wish you a safe and restful holiday season, and we look forward to synergizing with you again in 2025. Our purpose continues!
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World AIDS Day (Worldwide)
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2025 HVTN Full Group Meeting (Washington DC)
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HPTN Annual Network Meeting (Crystal City, VA)
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ACTG Annual Network Meeting (Washington DC)
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IMPAACT Annual Network Meeting (Arlington, VA)
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