TABLE OF CONTENTS
HANC ANNOUNCEMENTS
NETWORK ANNOUNCEMENTS
HANC PROGRAM UPDATES
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
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Russell Campbell, HANC Director, with Dr. Rajesh Gandhi, Vice Chair of the ACTG
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ACTG Annual Network Meeting
Reflection from Gabriella Olague of HANC
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ACTG's 2026 Annual Meeting was a great opportunity to connect with researchers, clinicians, community members, and partners from across the network to share updates and learn from one another. Throughout the week, we heard updates on ongoing ACTG trials, like the HoT Trial which is now recruiting participants, and explored ways to strengthen collaboration across teams. There was an emphasis on ensuring research remains community centered, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of people living with and affected by HIV. Russell Campbell and DAIDS colleague Mary Nguyen facilitated the inaugural ACTG PI-Community Institute and were both awarded the 2026 Community Service Award!
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Congratulations to Mary Nguyen and Russell Campbell on receiving Community Service Awards from the ACTG GCAB!
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ACTG Annual Network Meeting
June 2026
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The awards recognize their outstanding leadership in facilitating the inaugural ACTG PI-Community Institute at the ACTG Annual Meeting, creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration, shared learning, and stronger partnerships between researchers and community members.
Thank you, Mary and Russell, for your dedication to advancing community engagement and ensuring that community voices remain at the heart of HIV research.
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Celebrated with ACTG Co-Chairs!
Left to Right: Lorenzo Williams, Mary Nyugen, Russell Campbell, and Sandile Khumalo
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July 17, 2026
8:00 - 9:00 AM PT
Click here for the time in your location.
"Drug holidays” have long been controversial when it comes to HIV medication. Recently, however, analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs) have become more common in HIV clinical research. ATIs involve medically monitored pauses in antiretroviral therapy for the research purpose of testing another HIV intervention – for example, investigational HIV cure-related strategies. But ATIs are not without challenges, either. The Second Consensus Statement on ATI Recommendations
was recently published in Lancet HIV. Join us to learn about the updated recommendations, share your reactions, and discuss implications for the future of HIV research with a focus on the NIH-funded HIV clinical trials networks.
Speakers:
Thumbi Ndung’u, Director, Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI)
Karine Dubé, Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Gail Melissa Graham, Global Representative, Johns Hopkins University ACTG
Ernest Moseki, Community Coordinator, Botswana CRS
Moderator:
Jeff Taylor, Director, HIV and Aging Research Project
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Check out these engaging webinars!
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Transgender Research 2026 –
Findings from CROI and Beyond
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Speakers
Bokani Nleya, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sari Reisner, University of Michigan
Yuanqi Mi, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Moderator
Brian Minalga, Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination (HANC)
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Ethical Incentives
and Stakeholder Concerns
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A recently published study in Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics examines how research incentives are understood and experienced in HIV research by people living with HIV (PLWH), institutional review board (IRB) members, and researchers. The study found that IRB members and researchers were most concerned about incentives being too high, while PLWH were more concerned about incentives being too low, which they felt could undermine trust and feel exploitative. This webinar includes a summary of the study findings, as well as actionable steps to determine ethical incentives for research participation.
Speaker
Karah Greene, University of South Florida’s School of Social Work
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Gabriella Olague
Legacy Project Coordinator
The Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination (HANC)
Seattle, WA
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Gabriella Olague has been powering HANC with her sass and charm for over three years! Never soft-spoken, she has always been an advocate for underserved populations. She's grown in her role as Project Coordinator, leading vital working groups to fight stigma and increase representation for minority populations. She led the creation of the impressive Destigmatizing Substance Use Training, breaking down barriers and supporting real conversations around substance use. To top it off, she's a real friend to all those she encounters, and keeps HANC abreast of all the new trends. Learn more about this trendsetter!
Describe your current work in HIV research.
I have been a Project Coordinator with HANC’s Legacy Project for over 3 years now! Through my facilitation of multiple working groups (the Women’s HIV Research Collaborative, the American Indian and Alaska Native Working Group, the Destigmatizing Substance Use Working Group and the Latinx Caucus), I have had the great honor of working with some of the best people in the world, but I am biased and think that only the best people are called to this field of work.
What goals do you have for the coming year?
One major goal I have for the coming year is to advocate for diverse communities around the world independent of what is happening domestically. I am also very passionate about addressing stigma surrounding substance use as I grew up with a parent who became addicted to opiates.
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What are your hopes for the future of HIV research?
My hopes for the future of HIV research are to of course find a cure and vaccine to help end the epidemic. On a smaller scale, my greatest hope for HIV research in the next few years is to find ways to get all the incredible treatments and prevention technologies to the communities most in need. There are still millions of people who do not have access to life saving tools simply because of where they were born.
What can others do to support HIV research?
Perhaps our greatest tool is language. By talking openly about HIV, the research that continues to advance the field, the medical breakthroughs made possible through HIV research, and the humanity of people living with HIV, we can challenge misconceptions and reduce the stigma that still surrounds HIV.
What are your passions outside of work?
My passion outside of work are my three cats; Cosmo, Martini and Spritz! Despite how often I joke that they share a single braincell across the three, I have been able to train each of them to sit and shake on command! I also love taking advantage of my beautiful home state of WA and take any opportunity to hike and paddle board.
What is your drink of choice?
My drink of choice oscillates between the world’s biggest cup of dark roast coffee or a Diet Coke Super Gulp from 7/11. Both options are sufficient to get enough caffeine to power a small city into my body, which is exactly what I need to get going in the mornings!
Tell us something that most people wouldn’t know about you.
I am an out and proud queer woman, and this October I get to marry my best friend. I feel so lucky to belong to the LGBTQIA+ community and to have been surrounded by love, acceptance, and people who encouraged me to be exactly who I am. No matter what is happening in the world, love will always be stronger than fear. #LoveIsLove.
We're lucky HANC experiences the same care Gabriella bestows on her beloved cat children! This fierce cat mom may need a drop, or bucket, of caffeine to get moving in the morning, but she's unstoppable once she starts. We're glad Gabriella is receiving the joy she emanates - best wishes for a beautiful wedding and lifelong marriage! HANC can't wait to watch Gabriella continue to grow.
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New ACTG Cure Study A5413 Opens
ACTG recently announced the opening of study A5413, a study that expands upon the network’s commitment to finding a cure for HIV by looking at the HIV reservoir in people living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
A5413 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and impact on the HIV reservoir of oral dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of certain types of leukemia, among people living with HIV whose viral load is controlled by taking ART.
Commenting on the study, ACTG Chair Dr. Joe Eron said, “Research toward an HIV cure is a crucial area of investigation for ACTG, and we are dedicated to studying multiple approaches that have the potential to reduce, control, and ultimately eliminate the HIV reservoir. A5413 adds to our robust portfolio of clinical trials in this space, and we expect it will expand upon our understanding of dynamics related to the HIV reservoir.”
We’re excited to share this news and encourage you to read the press release we issued about it.
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Are you attending AIDS 2026?
Join HPTN investigators and other colleagues dedicated to ending HIV globally at the 26th International AIDS Conference, July 26-31, 2026, held online and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Research from four HPTN studies - HPTN 067, HPTN 113 (Duo), HPTN 112 (Njira), and HPTN 083 - will be presented in five abstracts at this year’s conference, including four posters and one oral presentation. Click here to view a list of
HPTN-led abstract titles and presentation times in the AIDS 2026 program.
Save the Date!
The 2027 HPTN Annual Meeting is scheduled for 5-9 June 2027 in Washington, D.C., and virtually.
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The HVTN is headed to Rio de Janeiro for the AIDS 2026 conference!
We will have a Networking Zone in the Global Village, highlighting our work in developing bnAbs and the role of ATI trials among people with and without HIV to advance HIV vaccine science. The booth will feature a lineup of speakers each day, with opportunities to hear from a range of researchers and community members, including presentations offered in Spanish and in Portuguese. We will also be screening our award-winning documentary film, “Ending HIV: The Journey to a Vaccine”, in the Global Village Screening Room.
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The HVTN will also be hosting a Satellite session on Monday, July 27 from 3-4:30 pm in Room 103, titled “Immune based strategies for HIV prevention and treatment”. The session will be moderated by Dr. Glenda Gray of the South African Medical Research Council and Dr. Lindsey Baden of the Harvard University Clinical Trials Unit in Boston, Massachusetts. Speakers will include:
- Dr. Ronnie Gravett, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Dr. Kathryn Stephenson, Harvard University
- Dr. Hyman Scott, San Francisco Dept. of Public Health
- Dr. Lawrence Corey, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Dr. Holly Janes, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Praduman Jain, Vibrent Health
We hope to see you in Rio de Janeiro!
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2026 IMPAACT Network Annual Meeting
Thank you to everyone who attended the virtual 2026 IMPAACT Network Annual Meeting! With over 20 presentations delivered over five days, this year’s meeting covered community engagement, Network priorities, a panel on Implementation Science, research presented by our Early Career Investigators, and so much more! If you registered for the meeting, but didn’t get the chance to watch live, or just wish to rewatch any of the presentations, you may do so here.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for 2-7 May 2027 to join us for the 2027 IMPAACT Annual Meeting!
IMPAACT at AIDS 2026 and HIV Pediatrics Workshop 2026
IMPAACT had five abstracts accepted to AIDS 2026 and three abstracts accepted to the 18th International Workshop on HIV & Pediatrics 2026, being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and virtually, at the end of July. Presentation details will be shared once the conference concludes and the embargo is lifted.
Updated Manual of Procedures Version 7.0
The IMPAACT Network Manual of Procedures (MOP) Version 7.0, dated 5 June 2026, is now available on the IMPAACT website.
Study Updates
IMPAACT 2041 enrolled its first participant on 25 June 2026. The study is evaluating treatment for hepatitis C during pregnancy in the US, with follow-up through three months postpartum. Congratulations to Johns Hopkins University (Site 5092) for enrolling the first mother-infant pair.
IMPAACT 2036 (CRAYON) enrolled its first Cohort 2 participant on 26 June 2026. The study aims to propose the weight band dosing of oral cabotegravir + oral rilpivirine followed by long-acting injectable CAB + long-acting injectable RPV in children living with HIV-1, and to describe participant choice and experience with the regimen with or without an oral lead-in period. Congratulations to Gaborone CRS (Site 12701) for enrolling the first child in Cohort 2!
IMPAACT 2052 is in development as of 29 April 2026. This study will evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of a novel AAV-vectored broadly neutralizing antibody, AAV9-10-1074LS, in infants living with HIV. Participants will be followed for approximately two years. Site selection for this study has not yet occurred.
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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 Consultative Group (BSCG) discussed planning for the new Cross-Network Implementation Science Working Group, emphasizing the need to integrate social and behavioral science as a foundational component of implementation science across the networks. Members also explored how the BSCG can best support the new working group by identifying key expertise and focusing on practical skills.
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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 discussed new plans for the 2026 virtual CP meeting focusing on member reorientation to their CP roles and enhancing bidirectional communication. The Cross-Network GCAB Co-Chairs will meet again in August to discuss CAB issues across the Networks and find harmonizing solutions.
CP will welcome Gail Broder when she presents on HVTN's tuberculosis vaccine work at the July CP meeting.
Community Partners also continues its work on a TB manuscript 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 met and continue planning for the 2026 virtual Community Partners 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 efforts to evaluate a centralized Medidata licensing model, weighing the potential benefits of cost savings and standardized clinical research tools against concerns about operational impact on DMCs. Members also shared updates on DSUR preparedness, EHR data extraction initiatives, and preparations for upcoming grant renewals.
The Cross-Network Site Coordinators Working Group (SCWG) received a presentation from DAIDS on a new centralized monitoring pilot initiative, which uses remote analysis of clinical trial data to identify potential data quality, compliance, and participant safety issues across selected studies. Discussion focused on how findings will be communicated to sites, expected follow-up actions, and efforts to minimize additional burden on sites.
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Tyler Brown
HANC Laboratory
Project Manager
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Announcements:
In June, HANC, the Network Laboratory Centers, and DCLOT finalized updates to the new Cross-Network PBMC Processing SOP and published the English version, Version 8.0, on the HANC website here. HANC plans to publish the Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, and Vietnamese versions of Version 8.0 in July. The revision history from Version 7.0 to Version 8.0 is included in Appendix I of the new document.
DCLOT, the Network Laboratory Centers, and other stakeholders are currently updating the DAIDS Good Clinical Laboratory Practice Guidelines, which was last published in 2021. A new version is expected to be published later this year.
In June, Frontier Science upgraded the web version of LDMS to the newest release, Version 11.1. For questions or concerns, please contact User Support at ldmshelp@frontierscience.org.
Working Group Updates:
The CPQA CNCPL Forum met in June to discuss proficiency testing panel updates (including a new dedicated TB panel), the Drug Assay Directory’s transition to an interactive dashboard, and updates to training and SOP submission processes.
The Cross-Network CPQA Advisory Board will reconvene on July 23.
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Brian Minalga
HANC
Deputy Director
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Jocelyn Landazuri Vinueza
Legacy
Project Manager
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Gabriella Olague
Legacy
Project Coordinator
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July 26-31: Brian is representing HANC at AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
The Legacy Project Working Group met in June to discuss DAIDS's response to priorities raised by the community and other stakeholders regarding the upcoming Network recompetition. Discussion centered on community engagement expectations across the Networks for the next funding cycle.
The Minority-Serving Institutions Working Group is developing a proposal for Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) 2026 (November 18–21 in Seattle, WA). The proposed session will highlight strategies to increase awareness of and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities through policy, advocacy, and community engagement.
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Follow Legacy Project on Social Media!
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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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Fast Track Cities 2026 (Berlin, Germany)
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HVTN's Translational Vaccine Early Stage Investigator Conference (San Antonio, Texas, USA)
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