TABLE OF CONTENTS
HANC ANNOUNCEMENTS
NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
HANC PROGRAM UPDATES
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
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HANC Conference Spotlight
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MARCH 9 – 12th, 2025
San Francisco, California
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APRIL 10 – 12th, 2025
Atlanta, Georgia
HANC Legacy Project Manager Cat Banobi in collaboration with the Minority-Serving Institutions Working Group will present their workshop Translating Efficacy into Effectiveness: a PrEP Policy for HBCUs.
HANC Director Russell Campbell and Project Coordinator Murph Fuentes will present their abstract Visualizing Disparities with the Interactive U.S. HIV Research Desert Map, along with Drs. Lance Okeke and Kenric Ware.
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April 29 – May 1st, 2025
Las Vegas, Nevada
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MAY 7 – 9th, 2025
Washington DC
HANC Project Coordinator Gabriella Olague will lead a training at the HVTN Full Group Meeting: Destigmatizing Substance Use.
Thursday May 8th, 3:30PM EST.
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THE NEXUS Spotlight: New Investigator
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Dr. Win Min Han
Clinical Research Physician
HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre Clinical Research Unit (TRC-ARC CRS)
Bangkok, Thailand
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Cat Banobi, Legacy Project Manager and facilitator of HANC's New Investigator's Working Group, dove deep with Dr. Win Min Han, an up and coming Clinical Research Physician based in Thailand. To get to know Win is to know his drive and commitment to HIV science.
Describe your current work in HIV research.
My current work in HIV research includes clinical epidemiological studies on comorbidities, viral hepatitis infections, and aging-related conditions in people with HIV, as well as clinical trials investigating therapeutics, including antiretroviral therapy and treatments for comorbidities and co-infections in this population. My recent research focuses on the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) and diabetes mellitus, as well as the genetic variants associated with MASLD susceptibility in people with HIV. Additionally, I serve as an investigator on ACTG’s Comorbidities Transformative Science Group (CTSG) and as a recipient of the International HIV Investigator Mentoring Program (IHIMP) under the Underrepresented Populations Committee.
Tell us about your experience in ACTG's IHIMP and how that contributed to your career path.
Participating in the ACTG’s International HIV Investigator Mentorship Program (IHIMP), which provides mentored opportunities for investigators from underrepresented backgrounds to engage in advanced clinical research, has been a pivotal experience in my career. Through IHIMP, my mentor, Dr. Anchalee Avihingsanon (Director of HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre Clinical Research Unit), and I have focused our research on steatotic liver diseases and their impact on metabolic conditions in people with HIV. Our studies aim to elucidate the mechanisms through which steatotic liver diseaes contributes to metabolic disorders in this population, addressing a critical comorbidity that affects cardiometabolic complications as well as morbidity and mortality rates.
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The support from ACTG’s IHIMP has been instrumental in enabling us to conduct research on MASLD and its impact on metabolic diseases in a long-term follow-up Thai cohort based in Bangkok. The findings from our studies have the potential to make a significant contribution to the field, informing clinical practices and guiding future research efforts.
What motivates you in this work?
I am highly driven by the opportunity to improve the health and quality of life of people living with HIV, particularly as they face evolving challenges related to aging, comorbidities, and metabolic conditions. The complexity of HIV and its interactions with other diseases drives my passion for research that translates into meaningful clinical applications. Additionally, working alongside a network of dedicated researchers and mentors inspires me to contribute to innovative solutions that could enhance patient care. I believe that witnessing the impacts of clinical research on improving treatment approaches, patient care outcomes and shaping healthcare policies is incredibility inspiring and propels my commitment to advancing this field.
How do you hope to contribute the field of HIV research?
I aim to contribute to the field of HIV research by conducting multidisciplinary studies and actively engaging in esteemed programs and networks such as the ACTG. My focus is on advancing our understanding and management of HIV, particularly in relation to comorbidities, aging, and metabolic health in people with HIV. Through collaborative research with researchers from different backgrounds and clinical investigations, I hope to generate impactful findings that improve patient outcomes and inform future therapeutic strategies.
What are your passions outside of work?
Exploring different cultures through travels and cuisine fascinates me. I enjoy immersing myself in new environments, trying out new cuisines, and learning about the customs and traditions that shape each place. I love discovering how different cultures approach food, celebrations, and daily life, and these broaden my understanding of the world and help me appreciate the diversity that exists across communities.
What sound or noise do you love? Why?
I sometimes think the sound of silence while diving is truly unique. Underwater, there’s a profound silence, broken only by my breath. It creates a peaceful, meditative atmosphere, connecting me to nature in a way nothing else does.
HANC appreciates Win's centered approach to both research and life - a trait that will take him far in his career and continue his invaluable contribution to science. The future looks bright with this promising New Investigator. Thank you for sharing your experience and passion!
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At HANC we are invested in supporting the HIV research networks and the communities who participate in research alike. Our community-focused work includes Be the Generation (BTG), part of an effort to collaborate with underrepresented populations to increase awareness and knowledge of clinical research and community readiness to participate in clinical trials, with the focus on HIV prevention research in the US.
As written in the BTG newsletter, Be the Generation references the massive global effort that has been going on for decades and the interconnected generations of this movement: the generations before who experienced the HIV epidemic from the beginning and who have spent decades continuing their tireless efforts to end the epidemic, future generations and the dream that they will be unaffected by HIV, and the current generation with the potential to Be the Generation to end the epidemic. Being the Generation is about how ending the HIV epidemic takes a collective effort, not just researchers or people living with HIV in isolation, meaning that effort must be made to proportionally include groups who are overrepresented in the epidemic and underrepresented in research.
BTG works towards proportional inclusion by making the world of HIV research more accessible to communities. The BTG newsletter, website, and training modules inform communities about current research and its potential impact, provide a platform for community members to hear from each other about why their participation in research is important, and provide education on existing HIV prevention tools and the latest in biomedical HIV prevention research. The most recent issue of BTG News was just released; you can read it on the BTG website where you can also sign up to receive future issues and download the training modules. Working together, we can Be the Generation to end the HIV epidemic.
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Follow Legacy Project on Social Media
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See you at CROI!
The 32nd Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) is scheduled for March 9-12, 2025, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. This in-person event will showcase cutting-edge research on HIV and related conditions, setting the stage for groundbreaking scientific advancements. ACTG hopes to see you there!
A must see at CROI:
Hot Topic: Menopause and HIV
Tuesday March, 11, 2025 4-5:30 PM
Moderators: Elizabeth King, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada, and Rosie Mngqibisa, Enhancing Care Foundation, Dalbridge, South Africa
Lived Experience: Beyond Hot Flashes
- Bridgette Picou, The Well Project, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Clinical Management of Women With HIV in Menopause
- Sara Looby, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Influence of Hormone Changes on Physiology, Virology, and Immunology
- Eileen Scully, The Johns HopkinsUniversity, Baltimore, MD, USA
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HVTN Full Group Meeting, 2025
Preparations are currently in progress for the upcoming HVTN Full Group Meeting scheduled for May 7th-9th at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C. We are excited to announce that virtual options will again be available for remote participation in the FGM.
Whether you plan to attend in person or virtually, we kindly request you to register at the following link:
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Registration closes April 18, 2025.
Active participation is crucial to the success of this event! We look forward to your involvement in making this meeting a valuable and collaborative experience.
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Behavioral and Social Sciences
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Greg Davis
HANC
Project Manager
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The Behavioral Science Consultative Group (BSCG) continues focusing its efforts on the measures coordination project. Several BSCG members have formed an ad-hoc group to develop implementation science recommendations.
The Financial Disclosure Working Group will begin reviewing the FDCOI SOP in April. The group has discussed the timeline for 2025 solicitation. The target date for the annual solicitation is September 19, 2025.
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Greg Davis
HANC
Project Manager
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Russell Campbell
HANC Director
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Community Partners (CP) continues to move forward and focus on its objectives and goals for the year. Two ad-hoc work groups have been formed to address specific issues. One group is developing a cross-network CAB onboarding package that can be tailored to specific Network or site needs. The other ad-hoc work group is addressing the need for translation services during meetings, presentations, etc. There are community members that would like to participate, but they cannot participate due to not speaking English or not feeling comfortable doing so.
Community Partners Executive Committee recently discussed not having a 2025 face-to-face CP meeting. Instead, the group will organize several presentations on important topics. The group will discuss potential topics during the April call.
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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) recently shared experiences with the DAIDS Electronic Information Systems Policy and Computer Validation Requirements. The SCWG continues to discuss staff training and site mentorship opportunities.
The Data Management Center Working Group (DMCWG) discussed updates regarding LOINC implementation as well as the DAIDS AE Grading Table. The group continues to discuss survey software tools and study engagement systems.
The Cross-Network Communications Working Group (CWG) recently discussed plans for CROI and upcoming annual meetings. The group currently meets on an ad hoc basis to share updates and ask questions around social media and communications-related topics within the Networks.
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Tyler Brown
HANC Laboratory
Project Manager
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Request: Does your lab use the HANC Cross-Network Cold Chain Guidelines? If so, we’d love to hear from you! HANC is interested in understanding how widely the document is being used and in what types of lab settings. Please reach out to
tdbrown3@fredhutch.org to let us know. HANC aims to publish a new version of the document this spring.
Recap: The CPQA Cross-Network Clinical Pharmacology Forum (CNCPL Forum) met in February to discuss updates on SOPs, CPQA site assessments, and proficiency testing rounds, including future compounds for compendial testing, such as lenacapavir, and ongoing work on an anti-TB PT panel. In March, CPQA and HANC will launch a new working group focused on addressing technical challenges, facilitating method development, and promoting best practices among clinical pharmacology labs. Please reach out to
tdbrown3@fredhutch.org if you would like to be part of this group.
Reminder: Last fall, 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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March 9-12: Brian will represent HANC at CROI 2025 in San Francisco, CA.
March 31: Legacy Recognizes International Transgender Day of Visibility
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U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) 2025 (Washington DC)
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