Yale LGBTQ Center Director joins faculty of first U.S. HIV Cure Academy

The other 2025 HIV Cure Academy faculty included:

Jessica Salzwedel (she/her), senior program manager of research engagement at AVAC. She leads HIV cure research advocacy, developing literacy materials, policy analysis, and global networks of advocates. She also coordinates community engagement for three NIH-funded collaboratories focused on HIV cure research.

Dr. Adam Ward (he/him), program manager, immunologist, and biostatistician for the Research Enterprise to Advance a Cure for HIV. He manages basic and clinical science operations and facilitates collaboration within the research network.

Dr. Luis Montaner (he/him), executive vice president and director of the HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center at The Wistar Institute. His research focuses on immune system strategies to combat HIV, cancer, and emerging viral diseases.

Dr. Jake Robinson (he/him), postdoctoral researcher at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. His work explores how vaginal microbes and intrauterine inflammation impact neonatal immune development using animal models.

Dr. Ted Kreider (he/him), assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He specializes in HIV immune evasion and infectious disease research, joining Dr. Drew Weissman’s lab in 2021 to develop novel therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Marina Caskey (she/her), physician-scientist at Weill Cornell Medicine. She researches broadly neutralizing antibodies for HIV treatment and prevention, leading early-phase clinical studies that have revitalized this field. She also investigates antibody-based strategies for SARS-CoV-2.

Dr. Allison Agwu (she/her), professor of pediatric and adult infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University. She leads programs supporting children, adolescents, and young adults living with or at risk for HIV, with research focused on treatment disparities and clinical trial innovations.

Dr. Katie Bar (she/her), associate professor of medicine in infectious diseases at the University of Pennsylvania. She directs the Penn CFAR Viral and Molecular Core, studying HIV persistence and immune responses to advance HIV cure strategies.

Dr. Brad Jones (he/him), viral immunologist and associate professor at Weill Cornell Medicine. He leads the Research Enterprise to Advance a Cure for HIV (REACH), an NIH-funded collaboratory focused on immune-based cure strategies.

Dr. Trish Burdo (she/her), professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and associate director of the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science. Her research focuses on chronic immune activation in HIV co-morbidities and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in non-human primate models.

Angelo Kwagga-Katumba (he/him), senior program manager at AVAC. He co-manages the Advocacy Fellows Program and the Media Science Café, bridging scientists, advocates, and journalists to improve HIV research engagement and communication.

Gender, Equity, and Access: Expanding the Dialogue on LGBTQ Health

The session Gender, Equity, and Access: An Introduction to LGBTQ Health sparked expanded dialogue among the participants and underscored the necessity of integrating LGBTQ health considerations into HIV cure research, policy, and advocacy.

Sam introduced and explored foundational concepts for understanding LGBTQ identities and the systemic barriers affecting their health. Particular emphasis was placed on how the rapidly shifting sociopolitical climate and the global rise of authoritarianism are increasingly shaping the lived experiences of LGBTQ people. From the rollback of legal protections to the weaponization of public policy against LGBTQ communities, these developments have profound implications for mental health, healthcare access, and social determinants of health. The discussion underscored the urgent need to consider holistic wellness—including mental, social, and structural health factors—when developing strategies for LGBTQ inclusion in HIV cure research and healthcare initiatives.

Building on this foundation, Dr. Adam Ward followed with a deeper dive into Sex, Gender, and HIV Cure Science, where he outlined current research and existing gaps in understanding how sex assigned at birth and gender influence HIV outcomes and cure strategies. His session provided critical insights into the role of hormonal influences, immune system differences, and gender-based healthcare disparities in shaping the current body of HIV cure research and its applications.

By broadening the dialogue, these sessions reinforced the importance of gender equity and inclusive healthcare frameworks in shaping ethical and effective HIV cure strategies. The discussions extended beyond the sessions themselves, prompting further engagement and collaboration among Academy participants and faculty in advancing equitable healthcare solutions.