Mentored Scientist Award

In the United States, nearly a third of those diagnosed with HIV were diagnosed late, meaning that they were diagnosed with AIDS at the same time as or within one year of their HIV diagnosis. Late HIV diagnosis is associated with poor treatment outcomes and, in turn, less viral suppression, greater transmission of HIV to those who are not infected, and increased HIV-related morbidity and mortality. The United States’ goal of reducing HIV in part by increasing peoples’ awareness of their HIV status cannot be achieved without addressing late diagnosis.

In the United States, nearly a third of those diagnosed with HIV were diagnosed late, meaning that they were diagnosed with AIDS at the same time as or within one year of their HIV diagnosis. Late HIV diagnosis is associated with poor treatment outcomes and, in turn, less viral suppression, greater transmission of HIV to those who are not infected, and increased HIV-related morbidity and mortality. The United States’ goal of reducing HIV in part by increasing peoples’ awareness of their HIV status cannot be achieved without addressing late diagnosis.

Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV is now possible through evidence-based strategies that reduce the risk of transmission to less than 2%. However, the effectiveness of these strategies depends on the mothers living with HIV adhering to HIV treatment and being retained in care. Difficulties in adhering to prevention strategies has resulted in mother to child transmission (MTCT) rates that remain unacceptably high. In Kenya, MTCT rates are still estimated at around 14% with over 6,000 newly infected children in 2016.

Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV is now possible through evidence-based strategies that reduce the risk of transmission to less than 2%. However, the effectiveness of these strategies depends on the mothers living with HIV adhering to HIV treatment and being retained in care. Difficulties in adhering to prevention strategies has resulted in mother to child transmission (MTCT) rates that remain unacceptably high. In Kenya, MTCT rates are still estimated at around 14% with over 6,000 newly infected children in 2016.

38 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS. Although the progress in developing antiretroviral therapies (ART) has been enormous, ART is too expensive or inaccessible for a large fraction of infected individuals, and requires lifelong adherence to a treatment regimen. An HIV cure would address many of these problems, but is still missing.

38 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS. Although the progress in developing antiretroviral therapies (ART) has been enormous, ART is too expensive or inaccessible for a large fraction of infected individuals, and requires lifelong adherence to a treatment regimen. An HIV cure would address many of these problems, but is still missing.

HIV-infected patients undergoing kidney transplantation are a unique patient subset with significantly increased episodes of graft rejection compared to non-infected transplant recipients. Biomarker development for monitoring of transplant rejection is a critically unmet need, particularly in HIV-infected individuals. Epigenetic mechanisms, including changes in DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC), contribute to AR and can be used for HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients (HIVKT). screening.

HIV-infected patients undergoing kidney transplantation are a unique patient subset with significantly increased episodes of graft rejection compared to non-infected transplant recipients. Biomarker development for monitoring of transplant rejection is a critically unmet need, particularly in HIV-infected individuals. Epigenetic mechanisms, including changes in DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC), contribute to AR and can be used for HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients (HIVKT). screening.

Food insecurity (FI) impacts health via biological, psychological, behavioral, and social-structural pathways. As such, the study of FI in the etiology of poor health has helped illuminate synergistic and multidimensional pathways by which to intervene. For older women of color living with HIV, FI presents a multidimensional challenge and highlights a “Gordian knot” of interactions between aging and living with HIV. For example, HIV accelerates aging-related inflammation that impacts the central nervous system, leading to neurocognitive decline.

Food insecurity (FI) impacts health via biological, psychological, behavioral, and social-structural pathways. As such, the study of FI in the etiology of poor health has helped illuminate synergistic and multidimensional pathways by which to intervene. For older women of color living with HIV, FI presents a multidimensional challenge and highlights a “Gordian knot” of interactions between aging and living with HIV. For example, HIV accelerates aging-related inflammation that impacts the central nervous system, leading to neurocognitive decline.