UNC Center for AIDS Research

09/18/2025

Sept 18 is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day!
As more people live longer with HIV, we must meet their unique needs. This year’s theme: “Protect Our Aging Populations” To read more about National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day click here; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/09/the-unc-cfar-celebrates-national-hiv-aids-and-aging-awareness-day-on-september-18/

Sept. 18

“Aging with HIV is not just survival—it’s wisdom, joy, and a future we’re still building. Let’s honor the journey and invest in care that lets every elder thrive. ”

“U=U means more years, more love, more life. On September 18, we celebrate older adults living with HIV—and commit to dignity, access, and healing for all. ”

09/11/2025

Join researchers, scientists, and advocates from around the world for a 24-hour virtual event celebrating the incredible progress made through HIV research—and looking ahead to what’s next. We are proud to announce that the CFAR Associate Director Dr. Myron Cohen and the Clinical Core Director Dr. Joe Eron will be presenting alongside an esteemed international panel of experts. To read more about the event and register click here; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/09/24-hours-to-save-aids-research-join-us-september-16/

09/11/2025

The Grant-O-Thon is an 8-week, interactive online workshop designed to help you gain the skills and confidence to craft a competitive proposal.

What you’ll get:
Expert-led lectures – practical tips and guidance on NIH grant writing
Q&A sessions – get your questions answered in real time
Small-group activities – collaborate, practice, and get feedback
Free access via Zoom – learn from anywhere in the world
Workshop Dates: 7 Oct – 25 Nov 2025
Deadline to apply: 15 September 2025

Read more here: https://www.seshglobal.org/grant-o-thon-2025/

Apply now: https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0pPZyfqeNHUFxoq

09/04/2025

The Inter-CFAR Community Health Working Group is thrilled to host our first-ever Research Spotlight event! This virtual gathering will highlight the work of our members and strengthen the community during a crucial time for HIV and public health research.
Date: Thursday, September 25
Time: 12–1 PM ET
Location: Zoom (link to come!)
Want to present your research? Sign up by Sept 5 and share a short description of your work:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548A4A62FABF8C16-57910428-research #/
Want to attend and support? RSVP here:
https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eaMwYR7YeRRy4OW

08/28/2025

The BMC Medical Research Methodology journal is now accepting original research for its Collection: "The Role of Qualitative and Mixed Methods in Advancing Medical Research." The BMC Medical Research Methodology journal welcomes innovative approaches that explore how individuals and communities experience illness, treatment, and care — including HIV-focused social science and implementation science research. Submissions are by March 11, 2026; however, extensions may be available.
Submission information can be found here:

BMC Medical Research Methodology is an open access, peer-reviewed journal publishing original research articles in methodological approaches to healthcare ...

08/21/2025

Important Update from NIH - Starting Fiscal Year 2026, the NIH will no longer post Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. Instead, Grants.gov will become the sole official source for all NIH grant and cooperative agreement NOFOs. Click here for more information; https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-143.html

NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: NIH Will Stop Posting Notices of Funding Opportunities in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts in FY2026 NOT-OD-25-143. NIH

08/15/2025

A new UNC-led study in Vietnam is showing how powerful community support can be in helping people stay engaged in long-term care — including HIV treatment.
Researchers from UNC, including Drs. Bradley Gaynes, Brian Pence, and Tran Viet Ha, adapted the Friendship Bench model — a counseling program focused on practical, supportive conversations — to fit the local context in Vietnam. The program was delivered by both trained professionals and community health workers, offering six weekly sessions aimed at promoting wellness and ongoing care. This approach builds on UNC’s broader global work using the Friendship Bench in places like Malawi, and in programs supporting mothers and adolescents living with HIV. Click here to read more about study and its impact on people with living with HIV; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/08/culturally-adapted-counseling-program-supports-hiv-care-engagement-outcomes/

08/07/2025

Dr. Myron Cohen and Dr. Joe Eron from the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) recently led a Congressional briefing on the future of HIV treatment and prevention. They emphasized the critical need for continued investment in HIV research to ensure we keep making strides in the fight against HIV. Learn more about their presentation and why funding matters in the fight against HIV and infectious diseases click here; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/08/cfar-research-leaders-lead-congressional-briefing-on-the-future-of-hiv-treatment-and-prevention/

07/24/2025

The FDA has approved lenacapavir (Yeztugo), a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention. Unlike daily pills or bimonthly shots, lenacapavir could make PrEP more accessible—especially for older adults who face unique challenges.

UNC CFAR’s Dr. Joe Eron led key clinical trials for this long-acting PrEP option, helping expand prevention tools for those over 50—an often-overlooked group in HIV care. With 1 in 6 new HIV cases occurring in adults 50+, this new option couldn’t come at a better time. Click here to read more about Dr. Eron’s involvement in these clinical trials; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/07/a-new-era-in-hiv-prevention-what-lenacapavir-means-for-older-adults/

07/17/2025

The UNC Center for AIDS Research recognizes Lindsey James, PhD, for being named a 2025 Hettleman Prize recipient—one of UNC’s highest honors for early-career faculty demonstrating exceptional achievement and promise in scholarly research. Dr. James is a faculty member of the UNC HIV Cure Center, part of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, and serves as an assistant professor in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, where she leads the James Lab. Click here to learn more about Dr. James’s research; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/07/dr-lindsey-james-receives-2025-hettleman-prize-for-groundbreaking-research/

07/16/2025

The UNC Center for AIDS Research is proud to announce that Becky White, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, has been selected to receive the 2025 Ada Adimora Citation Award from the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA). To read more about Dr. White’s work, click here; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/07/becky-white-md-mph-honored-with-2025-ada-adimora-citation-award-for-advancing-hiv-care/

07/10/2025

Dr. Vivian Go and Dr. Bill Miller, Core Directors at the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), were named Honorary Professors by Hanoi Medical University on June 20. This prestigious recognition celebrates their decade of collaborative work advancing HIV prevention, clinical research, and public health in Vietnam through UNC Project-Vietnam, a program of the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases. Their leadership has supported innovative research, mentored early-career scientists, and strengthened health systems to better serve communities affected by HIV/AIDS. Click here to read more about Dr. Miller and Dr. Go’s work; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/07/hanoi-medical-university-names-cfar-core-directors-dr-vivian-go-and-dr-bill-miller-honorary-professors/