TABLE OF CONTENTS
HANC ANNOUNCEMENTS
NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
HANC PROGRAM UPDATES
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
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A picture may be worth 1000 words...
But ACTIONS WILL ALWAYS SPEAK LOUDER
AIDSWatch March 16 - 18 & SYNChronicity March 18 - 20, 2026
Washington DC
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Brian Minalga stands proud in the fight.
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Gabriella Olague braves the cold to demand change.
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At AIDSWatch 2026 and SYNChronicity 2026,
HANC Deputy Director Brian Minalga and Project Coordinator Gabriella Olague demonstrated what it looks like to turn commitment into action—alongside a diverse community of healthcare workers, advocates, researchers, and even drag performer Mandy Mango, all united in the fight for HIV equity.
During AIDSWatch, a national HIV advocacy event that brings community members face-to-face with lawmakers, Brian and Gabriella went to Capitol Hill to advocate for equitable healthcare access and sustained investment in HIV/AIDS research. At a time when progress can’t be taken for granted, they helped ensure that the voices of affected communities were heard where decisions are made.
Following AIDSWatch, their presence at SYNChronicity 2026 continued that momentum—connecting advocacy with education, research, and collaboration across the healthcare community to drive meaningful, lasting change. Together, these spaces reflect a powerful truth: advancing HIV care requires both voices in the room and action in the streets.
Brian and Gabriella embody the idea that actions speak louder than words. In a political climate where healthcare access and HIV funding face ongoing challenges, their advocacy is a reminder that showing up, meeting with legislators, building coalitions, and demanding accountability creates real impact.
Now more than ever, staying engaged isn’t optional; it’s essential. Call your representatives. Stay informed. Speak out. Because change doesn’t happen on its own. Change happens when we do something about it.
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Brian and Gabriella are in SYNC.
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Even RuPaul's Drag Queen Mandy Mango speaks out.
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Speak up. Save HIV funding.
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As Michelle Haber prepares to depart the FHI 360 community engagement team on April 3, 2026, we want to express our deep appreciation for the care, dedication, and heart she has brought to the work over the past five years. Michelle has been a steady and trusted partner across CoVPN, HPTN, and IMPAACT, leading community engagement efforts, managing a complex portfolio of projects, and strengthening connections between research and the community. Her impact will be felt long after her departure. We are incredibly grateful for all she has given and wish her nothing but the best in this next chapter, with many happy moments ahead alongside her dog, Rue.
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HANC HEADS TO CHICAGO FOR THE 2026 BIOMEDICAL HIV PREVENTION SUMMIT (BHPS)
Thursday, April 9
Session 2: 10:45 AM to 12:15 PM
Clark (4th Floor)
"Reality Check: Renewing Our Commitment to Community Health in the Era of Political Interference," featuring Brian Minalga, Greg Millett, and Reyna Ortiz.
Dr. Kenric Ware and Russell Campbell will be co-presenting during the following sessions:
Thursday, April 9
Session 2: 10:45 AM to 12:15 PM
Great American I & II, 6th Floor
Cultural Communicators: Spanish-Speaking Pharmacy Students as Content and Communal Liaisons
Friday, April 10
Session 5: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Northwestern/Ohio State, 6th Floor
Older Adults Deserve a Shot: Long-Acting HIV Injectables for Aging Populations
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DoxyPEP Discrimination: A Newer STI Prevention Escaping Older Adults
The Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit 2026 (presented by NMAC) convenes healthcare providers, public health professionals, community leaders, researchers, and advocates working to increase access to HIV prevention.
6 Reasons To Attend the NMAC’s Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit
1. Expanding from HIV prevention to a syndemic approach that includes intersecting issues such as STIs, substance use, mental health, etc.
2. Inviting in clinicians and multidisciplinary healthcare providers to cross pollinate a whole person health approach
3. Extending the HIV Care Continuum from prevention to treatment to viral suppression (U=U which means Undetectable = Untransmissable) and whole person health
4. Designed 5 tracks that debut topics like Systems Thinking and Health Communication for an integrated approach to healthcare delivery
5. Curated 73 intersectional workshops (more coming) including "White Coats in the Community", "Chakal de Mi Corazon", "Building Community Health Infrastructure" etc.
6. Offering 6 categories of Continuing Education credits with 12.0 hours each
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HANC REPRESENTS AT NaLa 2026
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Dr. Kenric Ware and Russell Campbell will present:
Older adults deserve a shot: Long-Acting HIV injectables for aging Latine populations
Tuesday, April 21st
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Location: Dallas A
Dr. Kenric Ware and Russell Campbell will present:
DoxyPEP discrimination: A newer STI prevention escaping older Latine adults
Thursday, April 23rd
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Location: Dallas A
Gabriella Olague will present a poster on behalf of HANC's Latinx Caucus:
"Five Considerations for Meaningful Inclusion of Latine People in HIV Clinical Trials"
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The Minority-Serving Institutions Working Group (MSIWG) is pleased to share that the manuscript, “Leveraging Experiences at Select HBCUs as a Resource for Administrators and Health Staff to Support Student Health: Introducing an HIV PrEP Policy" has been published online in Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
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ACTG at CROI 2026
ACTG is thrilled to share that we made five oral presentations and 22 poster presentations at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2026), which was held February 22-25, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. CROI is the premier global HIV research conference and ACTG’s well-rounded presence at the meeting demonstrates our ongoing leadership across many areas of infectious diseases. As always, CROI was an important opportunity for many ACTG members from across the network (and across the world) to connect with each other and with members of the broader HIV scientific and advocate community.
“ACTG
continues to conduct impactful studies that improve the care of people with HIV,” said ACTG Vice Chair Rajesh T. Gandhi, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. “ACTG presentations at CROI this year advanced the goal of improving antiretroviral therapy, treatment, and prevention of coinfections (viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and mpox) and co-occurring conditions (including HIV-associated complications). The studies also move us closer to an HIV cure. There is so much more to be done and ACTG will continue to make discoveries and integrate implementation science to close the gap between finding new treatments and making them available to all people with HIV. We are grateful for the critical contributions of the study participants, community, ACTG sites and staff, ACTG investigators and NIH.”
ACTG presentations are listed below by topic:
HIV Comorbidities and Coinfections
Oral presentation: Relationship of Inflammatory, Cardiac and Lipid Biomarkers to Cardiovascular Events in REPRIEVE; Steven Grinspoon, et al.
Oral presentation: Incident Hypertension in REPRIEVE: Risk Factors, Pitavastatin Effect and Cardiovascular Consequences; Esteban Martinez, et al. (abstract 118)
Oral presentation: Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus in Plasma: Association with Treatment Failure in Limited-stage, Treatment-naïve AIDS-KS; Dirk P. Dittmer, et al. (abstract 122)
Poster presentation: Pitavastatin Does Not Improve Hepatic Steatosis in REPRIEVE Mechanistic Substudy Participants; Carl J. Fichtenbaum, et al. (abstract 597)
Poster presentation: Cancer Incidence and Risk Factors Among People with HIV in REPRIEVE; Sophia Zhao, et al. (abstract 620)
Poster presentation: Characterization of Heterogeneous Statin Benefit in REPRIEVE to Inform Prevention; Emma Davies Smith, et al. (abstract 653)
Poster presentation: Pitavastatin Effects on Lipids in Relation to MACE: a REPRIEVE Secondary Analysis; Steven Grinspoon, et al. (abstract 655)
Poster presentation: Improved Longitudinal Adherence to ART in Virally Suppressed PWH Reduces Serious Non-AIDS Events; Netanya Utay, et al. (abstract 657)
Poster presentation: High Baseline Prevalence and Suboptimal Control of Hypertension in the REPRIEVE Trial; Risa Hoffman, et al. (abstract 676)
Poster presentation: Sex Differences in Immunologic Response to Letermovir-mediated CMV Suppression in People with HIV; Rebecca Abelman, et al. (abstract 279)
HIV Cure
Poster presentation: Post-Treatment Control is Associated with Unique Proteomic Signature before and during ATI; Yijia Li, et al (abstract 242)
Poster presentation: Stable HIV-1 Autologous and Heterologous Virus Neutralization on Suppressive ART; Madhu C. Choudhary, et al. (abstract 301)
Poster presentation: TCF-1⁺ CD8⁺ T Cells Link Immune Modulation to Post-Intervention Control in ACTG A5386; Itzayana G. Miller, et al. (abstract 308)
Poster presentation: Subset of People with HIV (PWH) Continue to have Decay in Intact Proviral DNA During Long-term ART; Rajesh T. Gandhi, et al. (abstract 331)
Poster presentation: Donor-Specific HIV-1 Proviral Expression in Infected T-Cell Clones; Adam A. Capoferri, et al. (abstract 355)
Poster presentation: A Phase 1 Trial of N-803 With or Without Dual bNAbs to Achieve ART-free Viral Control: ACTG A5386; Timothy Wilkin, et al. (abstract 388)
Poster presentation: Sequential ART Interruptions Boost Autologous Neutralizing Antibodies and Constrain Rebound Variants; Jonathan Z. Li, et al. (abstract 421)
Poster presentation: Restricted HIV Reservoir Size and Activity Across T-Cell Subsets Predict Delayed HIV Rebound; Sofia Cohen, et al. (abstract 422)
Poster presentation: Optimization of Dose and Analytic Treatment Interruption for VRC07-523LS and PGT121.414.LS; Raymond Cha; et al. (abstract 491)
HIV Treatment
Poster presentation: Differences in Virologic Suppression by TFV-DP in DBS and TAF Regimen: Results from ACTG A5359; Stefanie K. Schwab; et al. (abstract 487)
Poster presentation: In Vivo Escape Pathways to VRC07-523LS and VRC01LS and Their Effects on CD4bs bNAb Susceptibility; Thomas DeStefanis, et al. (abstract 578)
TB
Oral presentation: Twice-Daily Dolutegravir with a 4-Month Rifapentine-Based Regimen for HIV-Associated Tuberculosis; Sean Wasserman, et al. (abstract 148)
Oral presentation: Novel Linezolid Dosing with Bedaquiline, Delamanid and Clofazimine for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis; Constance A. Benson, et al. (abstract 149)
Poster presentation: Skin Color Changes with a 3-Month Clofazimine-Containing Regimen for Drug-Susceptible Tuberculosis: Results from the Clo-Fast Trial; Michael Hughes, et al. (abstract 763)
Poster presentation: Delamanid and Linezolid PK in the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Pulmonary TB: Results from ACTG 5356; Kimberly K. Scarsi, et al. (abstract 788)
Hepatitis
Poster presentation: Regional Differences in HBV Vaccine History and Response in ACTG A5379: Asia, Africa, Brazil and US; Kristen M. Marks, et al. (abstract 591)
Mpox
Poster presentation: Tecovirimat Treatment of Mpox Infection Results in Treatment-Emergent Resistance in Persons with Advanced HIV (ACTG A5418/STOMP Trial); Alex Greninger, et al. (abstract 502)
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Join us 17-20 May for the 2026 HPTN Annual Meeting!
Online and at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, USA, this hybrid meeting will bring together researchers, community partners, and stakeholders from around the globe to engage in meaningful discussions regarding the Network’s scientific agenda, highlight current studies, and collaborate on future HIV prevention research priorities. The meeting will feature plenary sessions, workshops, and collaborative presentations designed to spark bold ideas and strengthen partnerships.
Registration is now open! Register here.
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The staff of the HVTN’s Social and Behavioral Science & Community Engagement Unit, working together with a group of community educators and recruiters at HVTN Clinical Research Sites, have published a paper describing the community engagement program in the HVTN:
Andrasik M, Broder G, Louis K, Baepanye K, Kamal K, Davis A, et al. Building Trust and Engaging Communities for HIV Prevention Research Globally. AIDS Education and Prevention. 2026; 38(1):1-17.
Additionally, Gail Broder and HVTN investigator Kathy Mngadi have co-edited a Special Topics edition of Frontiers Reproductive Health. Their editorial summarizing the articles in the special issue, “Community-centric strategies for HIV and STI prevention in key populations”, can be found here: https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2026.1798107
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Study Updates
- IMPAACT 2051 is in development as of 25 March 2026. This is a study of pretomanid, given with bedaquiline and linezolid with or without moxifloxacin (BPaL/M), to children to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis. The study will evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety while children are taking BPaL/M and for a year after completing treatment. Site selection is expected to be open to all IMPAACT sites.
- IMPAACT 2023 met participants off study/primary analysis completed (POS/PAC) status as of 5 March 2026. The study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir (DTG) in neonates. The study took place at 15 sites across South Africa, Thailand, and the United States.
Early Career Investigator Program Applications
The Early Career Investigator (ECI) program is now accepting applications for the 2026-2028 cycle! The goal of the ECI program is to support early career investigators in the completion of a project using data or samples generated by IMPAACT Network studies. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please check out the ECI page to find additional information, eligibility criteria, and key dates.
Annual Meeting
The IMPAACT Network Annual Meeting will take place virtually from 9-11 June. The Community Plenary sessions will be held 4-5 June and are open to anyone who registers for the Annual Meeting. Registration and meeting details will be shared on the Annual Meeting page in the coming months.
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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: No updates at this time.
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Murph Fuentes
Project Manager
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Russell Campbell
HANC Director
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Community Partners (CP): Community Partners facilitated a Cross-Network GCAB Co-Chairs meeting to discuss issues with CAB governance, member representation and training needs. CP continues its work on a TB White Paper, outlining the work and collaboration between CP and the Community Research Advisors Group (CRAG) that explores the complex relationship between HIV and TB.
The Community Partners Executive Committee will meet in April and discuss possibilities for a virtual 2026 Community Partners Annual Meeting.
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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 Data Management Center Working Group (DMCWG) discussed updates and challenges related to system improvements and reporting requirements across networks. They also reviewed ongoing coordination efforts to support consistent data management practices.
The Communications Working Group (CWG) shared network updates and plans for the new year, including conference activities and annual meetings. Members also discussed anticipated changes within communications teams.
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Tyler Brown
HANC Laboratory
Project Manager
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The Lab Focus Group (LFG) met in March to check in on how funding changes are affecting lab operations and protocols. The LFG also held a separate ad hoc call in March with representatives from DAIDS, pSMILE, and the Virology Quality Assurance group to discuss harmonizing GeneXpert quality control requirements and to address supply chain disruptions related to tensions in the Middle East.
The CNCPL Discussion Group met in March to discuss operational and compliance issues including how labs are keeping lab clocks synchronized for audit purposes, ongoing problems with certified reference materials from suppliers, and the need for clear procedures around AI tool use in the lab as auditors are beginning to ask how labs are governing AI.
The Clinical Pharmacology Quality Assurance (CPQA) Advisory Board met in March to review CPQA program progress, including CPQA’s development of a new anti-TB drug proficiency testing panel, and plans for the final year of the current CPQA contract. Technical updates included an upcoming interactive dashboard for the Drug Assay Directory and a new formal appeals tool for laboratory proficiency testing scores.
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Brian Minalga
HANC
Deputy Director
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Gabriella Olague
Legacy
Project Coordinator
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April 8-10: The Legacy team will be at the Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit in Chicago. Please join us for our workshop, "Reality Check: Renewing Our Commitment to Community Health in the Era of Political Interference," featuring Brian Minalga, Greg Millett, and Reyna Ortiz. Thursday, April 9 from 10:45 a.m. To 12:15 p.m. in Clark (4th Floor).
April 21-23: We hope to see you at the National Latinx Conference on HIV/HCV/SUD (NaLa) in Dallas, TX, where Gabriella is presenting a poster, "Five Considerations for Meaningful Inclusion of Latine People in HIV Clinical Trials."
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Follow Legacy Project on Social Media!
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Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit (BHPS) (Chicago, Illinois, 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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Continuum 2026 (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
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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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