UNC Center for AIDS Research

UNC Center for AIDS Research A research center with a fierce commitment to creating and translating knowledge that advances the f

A new UNC-led study in Vietnam is showing how powerful community support can be in helping people stay engaged in long-t...
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/

Dr. Myron Cohen and Dr. Joe Eron from the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) recently led a Congressional briefing on t...
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/

The FDA has approved lenacapavir (Yeztugo), a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable for HIV prevention. Unlike daily pi...
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/

The UNC Center for AIDS Research recognizes Lindsey James, PhD, for being named a 2025 Hettleman Prize recipient—one of ...
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/

Dr. Vivian Go and Dr. Bill Miller, Core Directors at the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), were named Honorary Profes...
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/

Due to antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV are living longer—but face new challenges. Lung cancer is now a le...
07/03/2025

Due to antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV are living longer—but face new challenges. Lung cancer is now a leading cause of death in this population. UNC’s Dr. Subhashini Sellers, with CFAR support, led a study revealing alarmingly low lung cancer screening rates among people living with HIV at UNC Health. Dr. Sellers's work aims to change that through targeted interventions and system-wide improvements. To read more about this Dr. Sellers's study and the CFAR’s involvement click here; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/07/undetected-the-lung-cancer-epidemic-in-hiv-communities/

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) was first observed on June 27, 1995. This is a day ...
06/27/2025

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) was first observed on June 27, 1995. This is a day to encourage people to get tested for HIV, know their status, and get linked to care and treatment.

A new study by researchers from the UNC CFAR Social, Behavioral, and Implementation Sciences (SBIS) Core and CUE-HIV exp...
06/19/2025

A new study by researchers from the UNC CFAR Social, Behavioral, and Implementation Sciences (SBIS) Core and CUE-HIV explores how trust and mistrust within social networks can impact the success of peer-led HIV interventions for Black sexual and gender minorities (BSGM) in the U.S. South.

Using the CFIR framework, the team identified three “Peer Paradoxes” that must be addressed for effective implementation:
Incentives Paradox – Are financial rewards helping or hurting peer engagement
Readiness Paradox – Are the most connected peers getting the support they need
Credibility Paradox – Can trust within friendships translate to trust in health information?
This research offers vital guidance for tailoring HIV prevention strategies to meet the needs of BSGM communities and supports the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. To read more about this study, click here: https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/06/understanding-the-peer-paradox-to-improve-hiv-services-for-black-sexual-and-gender-minorities/

Dr. Kimberly Enders, who recently earned her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from the Gillings School of Global Public He...
06/12/2025

Dr. Kimberly Enders, who recently earned her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from the Gillings School of Global Public Health, was hooded by her father, Dr. Bert Peterson — a longtime faculty member at both Gillings and the UNC School of Medicine. Dr. Enders, now a senior research scientist in the biostatistics department and an active member of the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), took a moment to honor the path that brought her here. Dr. Enders contributed to a variety of HIV research initiatives, both in the U.S. and internationally. She also joined the UNC Center for AIDS Research as a researcher in the past academic year. Dr. Enders has supported the CFAR's mission of ending the HIV epidemic through rigorous research, implementation science, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The CFAR is proud to celebrate Dr. Kim Enders, her family, and the future she represents in HIV research and beyond. To read more about Dr. Enders click here; https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/06/carrying-a-legacy-forward-dr-kim-enders-celebrates-doctorate-and-passion-for-public-health-at-gillings/

HIV Index Case Testing (ICT) is vital to identifying people living with HIV and connecting them—and their contacts—to ca...
06/05/2025

HIV Index Case Testing (ICT) is vital to identifying people living with HIV and connecting them—and their contacts—to care. But traditional training for healthcare workers (HCWs) is often expensive and logistically difficult in low-resource settings. A new study led by CFAR Social, Behavioral, and Implementation Sciences Core Co-Director Dr. Vivian Go and CFAR member Dr. Sarah E. Rutstein explores a decentralized blended learning approach combining face-to-face sessions with digital modules as a more flexible, scalable alternative. Through interviews with 26 HCWs in Malawi, the study found strong support for the approach but also highlighted the need to strengthen digital infrastructure. This research highlights the potential of adaptive training models and investments in digital capacity to support effective HIV care. To read more about Dr. Go and Dr. Rutstein’s work, click here;https://www.med.unc.edu/cfar/2025/06/exploring-blended-learning-for-hiv-index-case-testing-insights-from-malawi/

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