TABLE OF CONTENTS
HANC ANNOUNCEMENTS
NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
HANC PROGRAM UPDATES
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
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Tomorrow (Tuesday, December 2nd):
Join us for an intimate webinar combating HIV Stigma
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Immense Gratitude
Since 2008, Carl W. Dieffenbach, Ph.D., has served as Director of the Division of AIDS (DAIDS). Throughout his tenure, Dr. Dieffenbach oversaw a global HIV/AIDS research portfolio exceeding $1 billion and led a team of more than 150 federal employees.
Dr. Dieffenbach has been instrumental in restructuring the DAIDS-supported clinical trials networks and has consistently championed collaboration across federal agencies, international research organizations, professional societies, foundations, community advocacy groups, and industry partners.
On behalf of the global community of research institutions, professional societies, foundations, community advocates, and industry collaborators, we extend our profound gratitude to Dr. Dieffenbach. His visionary leadership, steadfast advocacy, and unwavering commitment have left an enduring impact on the field and all who have had the privilege and honor of working with him.
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In Memoriam
On behalf of HANC, we are saddened to share that our friend, colleague and former NMAC Deputy Director of Operations, Tara Barnes, recently passed away.
It was always a pleasure and an honor to work with Tara as part of our collaboration with NMAC. No matter how busy she was, she always made time to say hello and share her award-winning smile. We will cherish the memory of the last time we saw Tara in person.
Our thoughts are with Tara’s family, friends and colleagues at NMAC as you grieve this tremendous loss.
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Michelle and faithful companion Rue
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Michelle Haber
Community Programs Manager
Community Engagement Team, FHI 360
HPTN and IMPAACT Networks
NY Metro Area
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Collaborator Michelle Haber is a valuable player in the HIV research sphere. Michelle supports the HPTN and IMPAACT research networks via FHI360. HANC is also privileged to have Michelle serve on several HANC working groups: Community Partners and the Subject Matter Research Consultants. Her investment to community representation is paramount.
Describe your current work in HIV research.
For the past 5 years, I’ve worked on the Community Engagement team at FHI 360 with the HPTN and IMPAACT Networks. I serve as bridge between the research teams and the communities we work with, ensuring community perspectives shape every stage of our studies- from concept and protocol development, through implementation and results dissemination, I work with our community advisory boards to make sure that the community voice is heard.
My HIV-related work began after completing my MS in Social Work. I managed programs and provided case management in NYC, where I was inspired by the resilience of people living with HIV. I later worked with the Department of Health, working in infectious disease prevention and on NYC’s COVID-19 first response. Those experiences ultimately led me into infectious disease clinical research, in a role that aligns with my social work values.
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What goals do you have for the coming year?
I hope to deepen my ability to elevate community voices and advance equity in our communities. I’m also excited to train for my first marathon and explore National Parks.
What motivates you in this work?
Seeing someone feel supported or more confident because of my work reminds me why I chose this field and fuels my motivation.
What can others do to support HIV research?
One of the most meaningful ways to support HIV research is to show up and stay engaged. That can look like attending community meetings, giving feedback on research protocols, encouraging a friend or colleague who is participating in a study, or taking part in local awareness events. Collective involvement strengthens research efforts. When we show up for one another, we help build momentum, increase visibility, and inspire others to get involved.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Service Dog Trainer. I self-trained my own service dog, Rue, and she has been completely life changing. I would love to help others do the same.
What fictional character best represents you?
Eliza Thornberry from The Wild Thornberry’s. Eliza can communicate with animals, which reflects her ability to connect with those who are often unheard. I relate to Eliza’s role as a bridge builder- someone who listens, empathizes, and advocates for others. Like Eliza, I value seeing the best in others and helping to create spaces where every voice is heard.
What is your drink of choice?
Espresso. I love the ritual of brewing the perfect shot. After years of practice, it’s become the little moment of hygge I look forward to each morning.
Michelle is an empathetic resource to both humans and furry creatures alike. While her resume for service dog training is impressive (note the adorable companion Rue), we are lucky to have Michelle in the community engagement capacity for HIV research. We are inspired by your ability to connect communities and hope you find many more hygge moments to come during the winter months!
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An Open Letter to the HIV/AIDS Community, Allies and Future Generations World AIDS Day 2025 Theme: Rethink, Rebuild, and Rise
By: Lorenzo Williams - Co-Chair (elect) Global Community Advisory Board (GCAB)
To everyone living with HIV, to those who carry the burden of stigma, to the tireless researchers, to the dedicated healthcare workers, to activists, policymakers, and to every partner who stands on the frontlines of this shared journey: Today, we pause to reflect, renew our commitment, and reimagine what is possible. The world has made remarkable progress in HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. However, as we observe World AIDS Day under the International AIDS Society’s theme “Rethink, Rebuild, and Rise,” we recognize that progress is uneven and that there is still work ahead. This is our chance to let go of old assumptions, rebuild systems that include everyone, and rise together with courage and compassion.
Rethink - Rethink stigma and discrimination. Stigma silences people, delays testing, and limits access to care. We must replace judgment with empathy, misinformation with accurate facts, and fear with informed consent and autonomy. We need to challenge myths about who is at risk and how transmission occurs, and recognize that stigma is a barrier to both prevention and treatment.
Rethink access and equity. The burdens of HIV are not shared equally. People in marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, sex workers, people who use drugs, women and girls, adolescents, migrant communities, and those in low-resource settings, face barriers to testing, prevention, and treatment. Universal health coverage and patient-centered care are essential, not optional; they are key to making real progress. We need to address social determinants—housing, transportation, education, and safe work environments—that influence health outcomes.
Rethink prevention in a changing world. As modes of transmission shift and new technologies emerge, we need adaptable strategies: PrEP and PEP must be accessible, reproductive health services should be integrated with HIV care, and youth-focused education must meet people where they are—online, in schools, and in communities. We must invest in next-generation prevention innovations, including long-acting formulations, point-of-care testing, and community-based delivery models.
Rethink data, privacy, and consent. Robust, de-identified data can guide effective interventions, but only if people’s privacy and rights are protected. Transparent governance builds trust and encourages participation. We should promote community-engaged data practices, with clear consent procedures, opt-out options, and benefit-sharing, ensuring that data serve the communities from which they originate.
Rebuild - Rebuild health systems to be resilient and inclusive. Invest in clinics that are welcoming, culturally competent, and physically accessible. Ensure supply chains for medicines, diagnostics, and commodities are secure, with contingencies for shortages. Strengthen primary care so HIV services are integrated into routine health care, reducing stigma and fragmentation.
Rebuild trust through community leadership. People living with HIV, communities affected by HIV, and civil society must be equal partners in designing programs, policies, and research. Their voices illuminate barriers that numbers alone cannot reveal. Build long-term, accountable partnerships that share decision-making, resources, and recognition.
Rebuild the social determinants of health. Housing stability, food security, education, employment, and gender equality are essential for long-term viral suppression and overall well-being. Cross-sector collaboration is crucial. We must advocate for livable incomes, anti-poverty initiatives, trauma-informed care, and safety nets that support sustained health.
Rebuild research with diverse participation. Involve populations most impacted by HIV at every stage, from prioritizing to designing trials and analyzing results. Open science, rapid sharing, and patient-reported outcomes should steer innovation. Ensure equitable access to research benefits, including affordable diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines when they become available.
Rebuild health literacy and empower individuals. Provide them with the knowledge, skills, and platforms needed to advocate for their health. Culturally relevant education, multilingual resources, and accessible formats should be standard—not optional. People must be able to navigate care pathways confidently.
Rise - Rise with science and solidarity. The science of HIV treatment and prevention has transformed lives; continued investment is needed to maintain progress and reach those still waiting for access. Global solidarity involves sharing knowledge, resources, and responsibility across borders. We must also invest in workforce development, including peer navigators, community health workers, and researchers from diverse backgrounds.
Rise in dignity and rights. Every person living with HIV deserves respect, autonomy, and a voice in decisions about their own care. End discriminatory laws and policies that perpetuate fear and exclusion. Protect privacy, consent, and the right to decline or stop treatment without coercion.
Increase prevention and care integration. Combine HIV services with primary care, mental health, and substance use support. Make testing a routine part of care, not just a special or emergency measure. Use differentiated care models that respect patient choices, ease clinic workloads, and boost adherence through supportive, non-punitive methods.
Rise with hopeful futures. Young people deserve accurate information, safe spaces to ask questions, and pathways to healthy lives. Celebrate the resilience of communities that bear the heaviest burdens and continue to innovate, organize, and heal. Invest in youth-led campaigns, mentorship programs, and platforms that amplify young voices in policy and research.
Rise through compassionate action. Small acts—checking on a neighbor, helping someone get to a clinic, challenging stereotypes, or translating vital materials—combine to create systemic change. Our growth is a chorus of thousands of voices working together.
A call to action, with humility and urgency:
- For policymakers and funders: Focus on ensuring universal access to testing, prevention, and treatment; support community-led programs; and uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals. Commit to transparent budgeting with clear, measurable outcomes, and establish accountability mechanisms for communities most impacted.
- For healthcare providers: Practice cultural humility, ensure confidentiality, and create welcoming environments where people feel seen and heard. Offer flexible scheduling, walk-in options, and integrated mental health services. Deliver compassionate care that respects patient autonomy and life circumstances.
- For researchers: Focus on the needs of those most affected; share findings in accessible formats; and speed up turning science into real-world impacts. Promote open data, involve patients in governance, and ensure equitable access to innovations regardless of location or income.
- For communities and individuals: Know your status, seek care early, support neighbors and peers, challenge stigma when you see it, and participate in the collective effort to rethink, rebuild, and rise. Share stories, mentor others, and advocate for the rights and dignity of every person living with HIV.
A worldwide chorus, a local calling:
We recognize that the HIV epidemic is not only a medical issue but also a social justice concern. We must respect the autonomy and leadership of communities most impacted, including women and girls who face gender-based barriers, transgender and non-binary individuals who face compounded discrimination, adolescents who navigate risk and curiosity, and people who use drugs who deserve compassionate, non-judgmental care. Our efforts are linked with larger movements for health equity, human rights, and sustainable development. When we invest in schools, clinics, and safe communities, we uphold everyone's right to health and dignity.
Inclusion of the voices of those most affected:
Let this letter serve as a living document. We invite testimonials, stories, art, music, and storytelling from people living with HIV, caregivers, frontline workers, and youth. Let their voices influence policy briefs, training curricula, and public messaging so that our words and actions stay true to lived experiences.
A moment for gratitude and responsibility:
We honor the courage of those who face a diagnosis with resilience, recognize the dedication of healthcare teams who work beyond the hours, applaud the researchers who persist despite setbacks, and applaud the activists on the front lines advocating for change. We acknowledge resource limitations, political obstacles, and competing priorities that can hinder progress. With gratitude for every effort, we reaffirm our commitment to steady, strategic action grounded in empathy, justice, and evidence.
In closing, this World AIDS Day, let us recommit to a future where living with HIV is defined by a full life, health, and potential, not by diagnosis. Let us rethink the frameworks that limit us, rebuild systems that support us, and come together with courage, compassion, and a firm belief in everyone's right to health and dignity.
With solidarity and hope,
Lorenzo Williams
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Our Movement Moves On: Building Empathy, Transforming Access
We are thrilled to announce the restart of our ground-breaking HIV prevention study, HPTN 096: Building Empathy, Transforming Access (BETA). This study is driven by purpose, powered by community, and built on the shared vision of transforming access to responsive, high-quality HIV prevention, treatment, and support for men in the American South. Over the past year, we have reflected, refined, and re-energized our commitment to this vital work. We have a renewed determination to honor the trust and resilience of the communities we serve. Together, we are moving forward to amplify community voices and build a future where HIV prevention is effective and accessible to all.
Watch this video to learn more about the study and follow the team on social media @HPTN096BETA to stay connected!
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On December 1st, World AIDS Day 2025, the Lutheran Office for World Community and its co-convening partners including the HVTN Faith Initiative, gathered with faith leaders, biomedical experts, policy makers, and community advocates at the Church Center for the United Nations, for a public forum. The program integrated worshipful reflection with a high‑level panel discussion on the pathway to end HIV as a public health crisis, centered on dignity, equity, spirituality, and scientific progress. Dr. Ulysses Burley III, project director of the HVTN Faith Initiative, spoke on the panel representing the biomedical perspective. The program was held in person in New York at the United Nations Church Center.
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The 2026 IMPAACT Annual Meeting will be held virtually from 9-11 June 2026. Additional information and dates for the IMPAACT Community Advisory Board sessions will be posted on the Annual Meeting page of the IMPAACT website in the coming months.
Results from IMPAACT 2034
were presented at the 2025 Union World Conference on Lung Health. Ethel Weld, Protocol Chair, presented data showing that a single dose of pretomanid was safe, well-tolerated, and achieved pharmacokinetic (PK) exposures comparable to adults in female children with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. Read more about IMPAACT 2034 and the study’s findings h
ere.
IMPAACT 2046, UPLIFT: Understanding Practices of Lactation and Infant Feeding Together with Women with HIV, was finalized and shared with sites on 6 November 2026. UPLIFT is a multi-site, mixed-methods, observational cohort study exploring infant feeding preferences, practices, and outcomes among mothers with HIV and their families in the United States.
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Behavioral and Social Sciences
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Kathleen Pescasio
HANC Cross-Network
Project Manager
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The Behavioral Science Consultation Group recently bid farewell to Greg Davis, Project Manager, as the group’s facilitator. His leadership and contributions have been greatly appreciated, and the group wishes him the very best in his future endeavors. Moving forward, Kathleen Pescasio will assume the facilitator role and continue supporting the group’s work.
The Behavioral Science Consultation Group is gearing up to release a measures coordination project that the group has been working on for the past year. Topics covered are acceptability, food insecurity, quality of life, stigma, substance use, and trauma. An official announcement will be made soon.
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Murph Fuentes
HANC
Project Coordinator
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Russell Campbell
HANC Director
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Community Partners (CP): Community Partners welcomes new group facilitator Murph Fuentes. Murph is excited for the privilege of working with such a passionate group advocating for community.
Community Partners has started planning its activities for 2026, based on their 2026 work plan.
Community Partners is also delighted to welcome Patricia Humura as the new IMPAACT representative.
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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 convened to discuss clarifications regarding SCORE Manual changes. The SCWG will continue to monitor any forthcoming updates to ensure sites have clear guidance moving forward.
The Cross-Network Communications Working Group (CWG) convened to share updates from recent conferences. Members are also discussing guidelines around AI use, social media initiatives, and strategies to establish clear communication channels.
The Cross-Network Data Management Center Working Group (DMCWG) provided updates on ongoing Medidata and platform transitions, including progress on Medidata elevation timelines. The DMCWG also shared recent experiences with an audit, noting areas where clarification on expectations and recommendations may be needed.
The Cross-Network Evaluation Working Group (EWG) held a discussion on evaluation reports as well as GCAB honoraria processes and consistency across the networks. The group also touched on considerations for backup PI procedures in DAIDS-sponsored studies.
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Tyler Brown
HANC Laboratory
Project Manager
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Announcement: NEW Clinical Pharmacology Study Conduct Tutorial Refresher! Now Available on the DAIDS LMS,
The Clinical Pharmacology Quality Assurance Program has released a new refresher version of the online tutorial for clinical trials unit research staff who conduct protocols with clinical pharmacology objectives. The refresher tutorial is intended for recertification, with updated content, interactive activities for users, and quiz questions. The refresher tutorial reinforces key concepts from the full tutorial for returning users in a condensed format. The refresher tutorial is available through the DAIDS Learning Management System for users who have previously completed the Clinical Pharmacology Study Conduct Tutorial. There is no cost for registration.
The CNCPL Lab Discussion Group met in November and covered several topics including assay setup and stability for TB specimens, how labs are using and storing past CPQA PT samples, and different ways to approach measurement uncertainty. If you work in a pharmacology lab and would like to join the group, feel free to reach out to tdbrown3@fredhutch.org.
Reminder: HANC, in collaboration with the Network Laboratory Centers and DCLOT, launched a brief 5-10 minute survey on laboratory record retention practices. If you work at a DAIDS-affiliated laboratory located outside of the US and would like to participate, please contact 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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11/17: The Legacy Project and AVAC’s Choice Agenda hosted a webinar, titled, “We Declare: Turning The People’s Declaration Demands into Action and Accountability on HIV.” Brian Minalga moderated. Many thanks to Jim Picket for hosting and organizing, as well as all the speakers for such an uplifting and productive conversation: Adrian Williams, Brian Macharia, JD Davids, Luciana Kamel, Moses Supercharger, and Rebecca Denison. The webinar recording and resource documents are posted on
AVAC’s website.
We are being recognized with this award in the “Health: Research Projects or Publications” category for our entry, Indivisible from Science: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in HIV Research & Advocacy.
Our entry highlights a project that we published earlier this year in the American Journal of Bioethics. The published article is titled, “The Representative Studies Rubric: A Tool for Diversity in Clinical Trials,” written by Brian Minalga, Rona Siskind, Russell Campbell, Tyler Adamson, Mary Allegra Cermak, Annet Davis, Eddie D. Givens, Molly Dyer, Katie McCarthy, Nicole A. Montañez, and Rhonda White on behalf of the HANC Legacy Project.
Legacy Project Director, Brian Minalga, remarked, “Diversity is indivisible from science, and representation in health research is imperative to reducing human suffering.”
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Follow Legacy Project on Social Media
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CROI 2026 (Denver, Colorado, USA)
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AIDSWatch 2026 (Washington DC, USA)
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2026 NaLa Conference (Dallas, Texas, USA)
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HVTN Annual Network Meeting (Washington DC, USA)
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IMPAACT Annual Meeting (Virtual)
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AIDS 2026 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
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2026 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (Anaheim, California, USA)
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