RAMP Scholars conduct research projects in areas of basic, clinical, behavioral, laboratory and social science related to the HVTN scientific agenda. Many go on to publish results of their projects. To learn more about these exceptional Scholars and their projects, check out their profiles.

2023  |  2022 |  2021  |  2020  |  2019  |  2018  |  2017  |  2016  |  2015  |  2014  |  2013  |  2012  |  2011

2023 RAMP Scholars

Saba Ahmed

Saba Ahmed

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

HVTN Site: Columbia Research Unit, New York, New York 
Mentors: Dr. Magdalena Sobieszczyk and Dr. Delivette Castor
Project Title: Sexual health satisfaction and risk perception regarding HIV and STI acquisition among people with and without post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) in predominantly Black and Latino communities

Efeose Airewele

Efeose Airewele

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Soshanguve Setshaba Research Centre in Soshanguve, South Africa
Mentor: Dr. Ayman Osman
Project Title: Evaluation of a dual point-of-care test (POCT) for the diagnosis of syphilis infection in a high HIV and STIs prevalence setting, South Africa 

Tsion Andine (Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Tsion Andine

(Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Howard Univeristy College of Medicine

HVTN Site: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi (UNC Project) Clinical Research Site in Lilongwe, Malawi
Mentor: Dr. Mitch Matoga
Project Title: Understanding engagement to HIV prevention and family planning services among women after participating in a HIV vaccine trial

Ene Anteyi

Ene Anteyi

Morehouse School of Medicine

HVTN Site: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi (UNC Project) Clinical Research Site in Lilongwe, Malawi
Mentor: Dr. Mitch Matoga
Project Title: Understanding engagement to HIV prevention and family planning services among women after participating in a HIV vaccine trial

Chijoke Anyaehie

Chijoke Anyaehie

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center, New York, New York
Mentors: Dr. Melonie Walcott, Dr. Hong Van Tieu and Dr. Jorge Soler
Project Title: Experiences and perceptions about accessing HIV prevention services and participating in HIV vaccine trials - The voices of Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) 

Devin Barzallo

Devin Barzallo

Case Western Reserve University

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center, New York, New York
Mentors: Dr. Hong Van Tieu and Dr. Jorge Soler
Project Title: Experiences of Mpox virus infections and sequelae among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in NYC

Corey Boltz

Corey Boltz

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center, New York, New York
Mentors: Dr. Melonie Walcott, Dr. Hong Van Tieu and Dr. Jorge Soler
Project Title: Enhancing engagement of cisgender women of color in Phase 1 HIV vaccine trials in New York City

Rosalind Byrd

Rosalind Byrd

Emory University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Hope Clinic of Emory University Vaccine Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Mentors: Dr. Cassie Grimsley Ackerley and Dr. Athena Sherman 
Project Title: Sexual Health Priorities and Barriers and Facilitators to Engagement in HIV Prevention Research among Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults 

Ana Chang

Ana Chang

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

HVTN Site: Alabama Vaccine Research Clinic at University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama
Mentor: Dr. James Kobie
Project Title: High-resolution phenotypic examination of SARS-CoV-2 S2-specific B cells

Gabriella Kuffour

Gabriella Kuffour

Howard University College of Medicine

HVTN Site: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi (UNC Project) Clinical Research Site in Lilongwe, Malawi
Mentor: Dr. Mitch Matoga
Project Title: HIV Vaccine Trial Experiences Lessons for COVID-19 Vaccine Research and Acceptance

Shakira Laing

Shakira Laing

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center, New York, New York
Mentor: Dr. Melonie Walcott
Project Title: Enhancing engagement of cisgender women of color in Phase 1 HIV vaccine trials in New York City

Linh Le

Linh Le

California University of Science and Medicine

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center, New York, New York
Mentors: Dr. Hong Van Tieu, Dr. Jorge Soler and Dr. Melonie Walcott
Project Title: Influence of medical mistrust, health literacy, and racism on uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations among men who have sex with men living with HIV 

Tariq Mekkaoui

Tariq Mekkaoui

Michigan State University - College of Osteopathic Medicine

HVTN Site: Seke South Clinical Research Site in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe
Mentors: Dr. Tariro D Chawana and Thelma T. Tauya
Project Title: An investigation on the implications of VISP post HIV Vaccine Efficacy Trial participation in Zimbabwe 

Rachelle Monteau

Rachelle Monteau

CUNY School of Medicine

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center, New York, New York
Mentors: Dr. Hong Van Tieu and Dr. Jorge Soler
Project Title: Experiences of Mpox virus infections and sequelae among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in NYC

Simisola Tani Olugbemi

Simisola Tani Olugbemi

Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

HVTN Site: Soshanguve Setshaba Research Centre in Soshanguve, South Africa
Mentor: Dr. Ayman Osman 
Project Title: Diagnosing Bacterial Vaginosis - A Comparison between the Nugent scoring system Allplex™ Bacterial Vaginosis assay and Point-of-Care BVBlue Test, South Africa

Samuel Owusu (Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Samuel Owusu

(Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Morehouse School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Hope Clinic of Emory, University Vaccine Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Mentor: Dr. Srilatha Edupuganti
Project Title: Examine the attitudes and believes of African American LGBTQ population in Atlanta towards COVID-19 and HIV vaccine research

Ruth St Fort

Ruth St Fort

(Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa
Mentors: Dr. Katherine Gill and Dr. Michele Andrasik
Project Title: An Investigation on the Comprehension of Vaccine Induced Sero-Positivity post-HIV Vaccine Efficacy Trial Participation in South Africa

2022 RAMP Scholars

Justin Camacho

Justin Camacho

Drexel University College of Medicine

HVTN Site: Columbia Research Unit
Mentors: Jason Zucker and Magdalena Sobieszczyk
Project Title: Stick2PrEP 3.0: Understanding Engagement in PrEP Care Among Individuals Receiving Sexual Health Services

Jimena Castellanos

Jimena Castellanos

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center
Mentors: Jorge Soler and Hong Van Tieu 
Project Title: Examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on participation in Phase I HIV vaccine clinical studies among diverse populations in New York City: A social networks perspective 

Alex Figueroa

Alex Figueroa

University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center
Mentors: Jorge Soler and Hong Van Tieu 
Project Title: Examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on participation in Phase I HIV vaccine clinical studies among diverse populations in New York City: A social networks perspective

Brittany Gardner

Brittany Gardner

State University of New York at Downstate Health Sciences University

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center
Mentors: Melonie Walcott, Hong Van Tieu and Victoria Frye  
Project Title: Experiences and perceptions about accessing HIV prevention services and participating in HIV vaccine trials: The voices of Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) 

Bianca Hill (Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Bianca Hill

(Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Institute for Family Health - Harlem Residency

HVTN Site: Columbia Clinical Research Site, New York, New York
Mentor: Jason Zucker 
Project Title: The Role of the Microbiome in Rectal and Pharyngeal Sexually Transmitted Infections Amongst Men Who Have Sex with Men in a Comprehensive HIV Prevention Program

Anis El Marzouki

Anis El Marzouki

UNC School of Medicine

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center
Mentors: Hong Van Tieu and Jorge Soler
Project Title: Evaluating the impact of expanded low risk behavior guidelines with PrEP use on recruitment of participants into HVTN Phase 1 studies 

Yamyo Monie

Yamyo Monie

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Seattle HIV Vaccine Trials Unit
Mentors: Adrienne Shapiro and Janine Maenza 
Project Title: Characterizing undiagnosed and incident STIs in an HIV vaccine trial cohort in South Africa (HVTN 702). 

Samuel Owusu (Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Samuel Owusu

(Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Morehouse Medical School

HVTN Site: Hope Clinic of Emory University Vaccine Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Mentor: Srilatha Edupuganti
Project Title: Examining the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on participation in HIV vaccine clinical studies among diverse populations in Atlanta.

Jessika Carvalho Sanz

Jessika Carvalho Sanz

New York Institute College of Osteopathic Medicine 

HVTN Site: Columbia Research Unit
Mentors: Debrah Theodore, Delivette Castor and Magdalena Sobieszczyk 
Project Title: Stick2PrEP Cisgender Women/Trans Individuals: Increasing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake, Adherence, and Retention in Care, and Understanding PrEP Preferences Among Predominantly Black and Latinx Cisgender Women and Transgender Individuals

Blair Thompson

Blair Thompson

University of California - San Diego School of Medicine

HVTN Site:  Soshanguve Setshaba Research Centre
Mentors: Ayman Osman 
Project Title: Prevalence and distribution of active sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis among symptomatic patients attending public health facilities in Soshanguve, South Africa 

Kibret Yohannes

Kibret Yohannes

University of Virginia School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Columbia Research Unit
Mentors: Deborah Theodore, Delivette Castor and Magdalena Sobieszczyk
Project Title: Stick2PrEP Cisgender Women/Trans Individuals: Increasing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake, Adherence, and Retention in Care, and Understanding PrEP Preferences Among Predominantly Black and Latinx Cisgender Women and Transgender Individuals

2021 RAMP Scholars

Norman Archer

Norman Archer

University of California - San Francisco School of Medicine

HVTN Site:  Columbia University School of Physicians & Surgeons
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Jason Zucker
Project Title: Stick2PrEP 3.0 - Understanding Engagement in PrEP Care Among Individuals Receiving Sexual Health Services Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lily Bonadonna

Lily Bonadonna

Wayne State University School of Medicine

HVTN Site:  Columbia University School of Physicians & Surgeons
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Jason Zucker
Project Title: Stick2PrEP 3.0 - Understanding Engagement in PrEP Care Among Individuals Receiving Sexual Health Services Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Eshiemomoh Osilama

Eshiemomoh Osilama

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Columbia University School of Physicians & Surgeons
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Jason Zucker
Project Title: Get2PrEP3.0: An Initiative to Reduce Missed Opportunities for the Provision of HIV Prevention Services for Patients Testing Positive for STIs

Samuel Owusu

Samuel Owusu

Morehouse School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Lusaka - Matero Clinical Research Site in Lusaka, Zambiape Clinic of Emory University Vaccine Center in Atlanta, Georgia
Mentor: Katanekwa Njekwa
Project Title: Clinical profile of COVID-19 in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Lusaka - A retrospective observational study

India Perez-Urbano

India Perez-Urbano

University of California - San Francisco School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Setshaba Research Centre in Soshanguve, South Africa
Mentor: Annah Pitsi
Project Title: Patterns of daily pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis use, and barriers and facilitators to its access and use in men who have sex with men and in transgender men and transgender women

Jasmine Robinson

Jasmine Robinson

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Seke South Clinical Research Site in Harare, Zimbabwe
Mentor: Portia Hunidzarira
Project Title: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions for improving HIV prevention knowledge and clinical research literacy among youth communities in Zimbabwe.

Ruth St. Fort

Ruth St. Fort

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Seke South Clinical Research Site in Harare, Zimbabwe
Mentor: Portia Hunidzarira
Project Title: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions for improving HIV prevention knowledge and clinical research literacy among youth communities in Zimbabwe

2020 RAMP Scholars

Tsion Andine

Tsion Andine

Howard University School of Medicine

HVTN Site:  CAPRISA eThekwini Clinical Research Site in Durban, South Africa
Mentor: Nigel Garrett
Project Title: Assessing the impact of implementing a point-of-care STI testing for Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Trichomoniasis in HVTN trials

Aliah Fonteh

Aliah Fonteh

Meharry Medical College School of Medicine

HVTN Site: The Aurum Institute Tembisa Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa
Mentors: Kathy Mngadi and Yajna Duki
Project Title: Assessing HIV risk and factors related to HIV seroconversion among low risk participants in North America and sub-Saharan Africa in the HVTN 100, 107, 108, 111 and 120 studies

Jeremy Fagan

Jeremy Fagan

Tulane University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: The Aurum Institute Tembisa Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa
Mentors: Kathy Mngadi and Yajna Duki
Project Title: Assessing HIV risk and factors related to HIV seroconversion among low risk participants in North America and sub-Saharan Africa in the HVTN 100, 107, 108, 111 and 120 studies

Palca Shibale

Palca Shibale

University of Washington School of Medicine

HVTN Site: University of North Carolina Project-Malawi (UNC Project) Clinical Research Site in Lilongwe, Malawi
Mentor: Mitch Matoga
Project Title: Prevalence of Hepatitis infection among high-risk women participating in a HIV vaccine trial in Lilongwe Malawi

2019 RAMP Scholars

Omolayo Fatola

Omolayo Fatola

Indiana University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Duke University
Mentors: Amelia Thompson and Tony Moody
Project Title: “Barriers and Facilitators to Adolescent Participation in HIV Vaccine Trials”

Salem Harry-Hernandez

Salem Harry-Hernandez

University of Connecticut School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Fenway Institute
Mentors: Ken Mayer and Michele Andrasik
Project Title: Preference for Anti-HIV Monoclonal Antibody Infusion, Injectable Antiretroviral PrEP or Daily Oral PrEP among At-Risk Clinical Trial Participants

Esther Kwara

Esther Kwara

Morehouse School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Brigham and Women's Hospital
Mentor: Stephen Walsh
Project Title: Development of a Prediction Model for Clearance of Vaccine Induced Sero-Positivity

 

Mekedes Lemma

Mekedes Lemma

University of Nevada-Reno School of Medicine

HVTN Site: HVTN Laboratory Center
Mentor: Maria Lemos
Project Title: Role of estrogen supplementation in vaccine response of transgender women

Hussein Magale

Hussein Magale

University of Arizona College of Medicine

HVTN Site: Aurum Institute-Tembisa
Mentors: Kathryn Mngadi and Jim Kublin
Project Title: Meta-analysis study – the interplay of gut microbiome, body mass index and HIV vaccine-induced immunogenicity

2018 RAMP Scholars

Breonna Barr

Breonna Barr

Wake Forest School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Rochester Victory Alliance
Mentors: Mike Keefer and Cindy Monaco
Project Title: Impact of the Female Reproductive Tract Microbiome on Inflammation in HIV in a Sub-Saharan Africa cohort

Andrew Braun (Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Andrew Braun

(Alumni RAMP Scholar)

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

HVTN Site: HVTN Laboratory Center
Mentors: Antje Heit and Steve DeRosa
Project Title: Evaluation and optimization of the activation-induced marker (AIM) assay to phenotypically and functionally profile HIV candidate vaccine-induced CD4 helper T cell subsets

William Grant

William Grant

Duke University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Columbia Research Unit
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Hong Van Tieu
Project Title: Pilot Study Evaluating Innovative Educational Approach To Increase Knowledge of HIV Prevention In The Next Generation of Providers

Bianca Hill

Bianca Hill

Meharry Medical School

HVTN Site: Bridge HIV - San Francisco Department of Public Health
Mentor: Hyman Scott
Project Title: Accessing Best Practices for Recruiting Transgender People into HIV Studies Using Social Media Applications

Katarina Leyba

Katarina Leyba

University of New MexicoSchool of Medicine

HVTN Site: Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program
Mentor: Spyros Kalams
Project Title: Single cell transcriptome analysis of vaccine induced T cell responses in HVTN 087

Cesar Joel Lopez Angel (Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Cesar Joel Lopez Angel

(Alumni RAMP Scholar)

Stanford University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Duke Human Vaccine Institute
Mentor: Georgia Tomaras
Project Title: Defining the role of immune heterogeneity and preexisting CMV immunity in protective HIV-1 vaccination

Courtney Mangum

Courtney Mangum

University of Buffalo School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Alabama Vaccine Research Clinic at UAB
Mentors: Paul Goepfert and Anju Bansal
Project Title: Determining the role of HLA-II associated HIV polymorphisms in vaccination and infection

Taibat Salami

Taibat Salami

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

HVTN Site: Soweto Perinatal HIV Research Unit
Mentors: Hong Van Tieu and Janan Dietrich
Project Title: A Qualitative Study to Assess Willingness to Use Various HIV Prevention Methods Among Participants Currently Enrolled in HVTN 702 Study in Soweto, South Africa

2017 RAMP Scholars

Kareem Alexis

Kareem Alexis

Duke University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center
Mentors: Hong Van Tieu and Ken Mayer
Project Title: Mixed-methods Study of Experiences Getting PrEP through the HVTN 704/HPTN 083 (AMP Study) PrEP Referral Program

Barinaepkee Banuna

Barinaepkee Banuna

Stony Brook University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: University of Zimbabwe-UCSF Seke South Clinical Research Site
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Lynda Stranix-Chibanda
Project Title: Zimbabwean Health Practitioners' Knowledge of and Attitudes towards HIV Vaccines and VISP

Shay Behrens

Shay Behrens

Duke University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine Research & Development, Duke University
Mentors: David Montefiori and Bart Haynes
Project Title: Identification of Early Intermediates of the VRC01-class of CD4bs bnAbs in HIV-1 Infected Individuals

Andrew Braun

Andrew Braun

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center
Mentors: Hong Van Tieu and Beryl Koblin
Project Title: Assessing Participant Experience with Intravenous Infusion and Subcutaneous Injection of Monoclonal Antibody in HVTN 704/HPTN 085 AMP Study

Czestochowa Francois

Czestochowa Francois

University of Rochester Medical School

HVTN Site: University of Rochester
Mentor: James Kobie
Project Title: Characterization of Human HIV Vaccine-Induced Bone Marrow Plasma Cells

Jessica Munoz

Jessica Munoz

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

HVTN Site: Perinatal HIV Research Unit – Soweto Bara
Mentors: Michele Andrasik and Janan Dietrich
Project Title: A Qualitative Study Focusing on Community Engagement and Stigma Concerning Vaccine Participants in South Africa

2016 RAMP Scholars

Blessing Aroh

Blessing Aroh

Howard University College of Medicine

HVTN Site: University of Zimbabwe-UCSF Seke South Clinical Research Site
Mentors: Michele Andrasik and Lynda Stranix-Chibanda
Project Title: Perception of Risk and Stigma Related to Use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Zimbabwean Youth

Angela Broad-White

Angela Broad-White

University of California-San Francisco

HVTN Site: Bridge HIV - San Francisco Dept. of Public Health
Mentors: Hyman Scott and Michele Andrasik
Project Title: Using Photo Sharing Platforms for Community Engagement and Recruitment of MSM and Transwomen of Color

Abena Bruce

Abena Bruce

University Of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

HVTN Site: Perinatal HIV Research Unit – Bara
Mentors: Mike Keefer and Janan Dietrich
Project Title: Understanding Young Adult Attitudes Toward PrEP Uptake in Cape Town, South Africa

Gia Garrett

Gia Garrett

The George Washington University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Bridge HIV - San Francisco Dept. of Public Health
Mentors: Hyman Scott and Michele Andrasik
Project Title: Engaging Black and Latino MSM in HIV Research through Gay Social Networking Apps

Michael Hernandez

Michael Hernandez

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

HVTN Site: Columbia University HIV Vaccine Unit
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Hong Van Tieu
Project Title: A Pilot Study Assessing Acceptability and Feasibility Of Self-Administered Drug-Level Testing Among At-Risk MSM Taking PREP

Danielle Johnson

Danielle Johnson

Tufts University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Perinatal HIV Research Unit – Bara
Mentors: Ken Mayer and Janan Dietrich
Project Title: A Qualitative Analysis of the Social and Behavioral Factors Affecting PrEP Uptake Among Youth in South Africa

David Sanchez

David Sanchez

Howard University College of Medicine

HVTN Site: HVTN Laboratory Center
Mentors: Steve DeRosa and Nicole Frahm
Project Title: Development of Robust Assays That Identify Functional and Phenotypical Immune Correlates for HIV-1 Vaccine Optimization

Arame Thiam Diouf

Arame Thiam Diouf

Baylor College of Medicine

HVTN Site: HVTN Core Operations Center
Mentors: Michele Andrasik and Barb Metch
Project Title: Substance Use Patterns Among HVTN Phase I and II Clinical Trial Participants and Effects on Retention

2015 RAMP Scholars

Aishat "Anu" Bakare

Aishat "Anu" Bakare

SUNY Downstate College of Medicine

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center
Mentors: Hong Van Tieu, Beryl Koblin, and Michele Andrasik
Project Title: Assessing Patient Experience with Intravenous and Subcutaneous Monoclonal Antibody Vaccinations for Prevention of HIV Infections

Brittany Carter

Brittany Carter

Texas A&M College of Medicine

HVTN Site: University of Rochester
Mentor: James Kobie
Project Title: “Impact of Injection Drug Use on B Cell Function”

Leiberh "Noel" Diaz

Leiberh "Noel" Diaz

University of Tennessee Health Science Center

HVTN Site: Vanderbilt University
Mentor: Spyros Kalams
Project Title: Quantitating the Frequency of HIV-specific Public TCR Clonotypes in HIV Infected Individuals and HIV Negative Vaccine Recipients

Jenny Jean

Jenny Jean

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

HVTN Site: Setshaba Research Centre
Mentors: Mookho Malahlela and Mike Keefer
Project Title: Community Understanding(s) of HIV Vaccine Reach and Vaccine-Induced Seropositivity

Sergio Marte

Sergio Marte

Stony Brook University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Columbia University/NY Blood Center
Mentors: Magda Sobieczszyk and Hong Van Tieu
Project Title: Understanding the barriers and successful strategies that the facilitate participation of transmen in preventive HIV vaccine clinical trials: A focus on community awareness, accurate information dissemination, and transmasculine health

Martin Musuruana

Martin Musuruana

University of Illinois College of Medicine

HVTN Site: NY Blood Center
Mentors: Hong Van Tieu and Beryl Koblin
Project Title: A pilot study comparing sexual and behavioral risk data collected via sexual diaries and online survey questionnaire among at-risk HIV Negative men who have sex with men in NYC

Joseph Souto

Joseph Souto

Albert Einstein School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Columbia University/NY Blood Center
Mentors: Magda Sobieczszyk and Beryl Koblin
Project Title: HVTN 505: Relationship between PrEP and vaccine prevention

Jessica-Ashley Williams

Jessica-Ashley Williams

University of South Carolina at Greenville

HVTN Site: Bridge HIV / San Francisco
Mentors: Hyman Scott and Michele Andrasik
Project Title: Evaluating the use of social media for engaging young African American and Latino men who have sex with men in HIV prevention research

Van Don Williams II

Van Don Williams II

Ohio State University College of Medicine

HVTN Site: Columbia University/NY Blood Center
Mentors: Magda Sobieczszyk and Hong Van Tieu
Project Title: Female-to-Male (FTM) Transgender Individuals: Assessing knowledge of HIV vaccines and biomedical prevention methods, barriers and facilitators to participation in vaccine trials

2014 RAMP Scholars

Tsige Gebreslasse

Tsige Gebreslasse

University of Illinois-Chicago

HVTN Site: Cape Town
Mentors: Linda‐Gail Bekker and Richard Novak
Project Title: “Preferences of HIV prevention methods in high risk Cape Town South African communities”

Oluchi Iheagwara

Oluchi Iheagwara

University of Rochester

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center
Mentors: Hong Van Tieu and Beryl Koblin
Project Title: “Barriers and facilitators to participation in HIV vaccine and biomedical prevention trials among Black and Latina women in New York City”

Juan San Juan

Juan San Juan

University of Michigan

HVTN Site: Vanderbilt University
Mentor: Spyros Kalams
Project Title: Validating mass cytometry compared to fluorescent cytometry for measuring the expression of surface proteins on T cells of HIV+ individuals

Anne Nzuki

Anne Nzuki

University of Kansas

HVTN Site: Columbia University
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Hong Van Tieu
Project Title: Understanding facilitators and barriers to participation in vaccine trials and refining recruitment materials for Phase I HIV vaccine trials

Kristen Rogers, MS

Kristen Rogers, MS

University of Texas, San Antonio

HVTN Site: HVTN Laboratory Center
Mentors: Stephen DeRosa and Nicole Frahm
Project Title: Flow cyotmetric assessment of HIV vaccine inducibility of T regulatory cells

Memorie Samuel

Memorie Samuel

Howard University

HVTN Site: University of Rochester
Mentor: James Kobie
Project Title: The impact of intravenous drug abuse on the human B‐cell efficacy for defense against HIV infection

Nicholas "Kenji" Taylor

Nicholas "Kenji" Taylor

University of Pennsylvania

HVTN Site: Columbia University
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Hong Van Tieu
Project Title: Male‐to‐female transgender individuals: assessing knowledge of HIV vaccines and biomedical prevention methods, and barriers and facilitators to participation in vaccine trials

Jessica Cruz Whitley

Jessica Cruz Whitley

University of California, San Diego

HVTN Site: San Francisco Department of Public Health

Mentors: Nnenna Ozobia, Hyman Scott

Project Title: “Developing and evaluating community engagement materials through new technology”

2013 RAMP Scholars

Olusola Ayankola

Olusola Ayankola

Harvard Medical School

HVTN Site: Harvard
Mentor: Lindsey Baden
Project Title: The Dynamic and Continuous Assessment of Optical Density Readings of previous HIV clinical trial participants that are Vaccine-Induced Seropositive

Nubia Chong's photo is not available

Nubia Chong

SUNY Downstate Medical School

HVTN Site: HVTN Laboratory Center
Mentors: Steve DeRosa and Nicole Frahm
Project Title: Development of an intracellular cytokine staining panel for ‘time of flight’ mass cytometry to further characterize T-cell phenotype and function

Sean Fling

Sean Fling

University of Wisconsin

HVTN Site: Chicago
Mentors: Rick Novak and Michele Andrasik
Project Title: Understanding the relationship between the coming out process and subsequent risk-taking behavior in minority youth

Rebecca Obeng, Ph.D.

Rebecca Obeng, Ph.D.

University of Virginia

HVTN Site: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Mentors: Dan Barouch and Ken Mayer
Project Title: PD-1 expression and functional capacity of memory T cells in non-human primates after immunization with Ad5 or alternate adenoviral vectors encoding SIV antigens

Oscar Padilla

Oscar Padilla

Tufts University

HVTN Site: Sao Paulo
Mentors: Esper Kallas and Ken Mayer
Project Title: Characterization of the breadth and magnitude of T cell responses to M. tuberculosis antigens in HIV-infected individuals

Sharise Richardson

Sharise Richardson

University of Central Florida

HVTN Site: New York Blood Center|
Mentors: Hong Van Tieu and Beryl Koblin
Project Title: Perspectives of and Barriers Faced by Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Participation in HIV Vaccine and Other Biomedical Prevention Trials

Bennie Taylor

Bennie Taylor

Howard University

HVTN Site: Bridge HIV - San Francisco
Mentors: Hyman Scott and Jonathan Fuchs
Project Title: Healthcare Provider Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of HIV Vaccine Research and Other Prevention Strategies

2012 RAMP Scholars

Janos Alfredo Barrera

Janos Alfredo Barrera

Stanford University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Duke Human Vaccine Institute
Mentors: Georgia Tomaras and Jonathan Fuchs
Project Title: Identifying IgG and IgA epitope specificities for gp160 following rAd35 and rAd5 HIV-1 vaccination given as a heterologous prime-boost regimen, or as boosts to a recombinant DNA vaccine in healthy, Ad5-naïve and Ad5- exposed, low risk, HIV-1 uninfected adult participants in HVTN Protocol 077 phase 1b clinical trial

Carmelo Blanquicett

Carmelo Blanquicett

Meharry Medical College

HVTN Site: Vanderbilt
Mentor: Spyros Kalams
Project Title: Evaluation of the frequency and phenotype of T follicular helper cells in the peripheral blood of HIV-infected and HIV-negative individuals

Angela Coombs

Angela Coombs

Tufts University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: San Francisco Department of Public Health
Mentors: Jonathan Fuchs and Michele Andrasik
Project Title: Assessing the Feasibility of Respondent Driven Sampling in Recruitment of Black MSM for HIV Vaccine Trials

Bahaa Daoud

Bahaa Daoud

The George Washington University School of Medicine

HVTN Site: New York
Mentors: Beryl Koblin and Magda Sobieszczyk
Project Title: Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Vaccine Trial Participation in a Northern Manhattan Latino Community

Darren Knight

Darren Knight

Columbia University

HVTN Site: New York
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk and Beryl Koblin
Project Title: Assessing Providers’ Knowledge of HIV Vaccine Trials and VISP in New York City Clinics

Gabrielle Philip

Gabrielle Philip

Mount Sinai School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Cape Town
Mentors: Magda Sobieszczyk, Linda-Gail Bekker, and Dion Benetatos
Project Title: Identifying the Barriers for Youth Comprehension of HIV Vaccine Trial Consent Process

Tequilla Pryor

Tequilla Pryor

Georgia Health Sciences University

HVTN Site: Atlanta
Mentors: Mark Mulligan and Julia Painter
Project Title: “nvestigating the Motivators and Barriers to Recruitment and Retention of African Americans in Atlanta-based HIV Vaccine Trials

Aisha Scherr-Williams

Aisha Scherr-Williams

Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California

HVTN Site: Lima
Mentors: Jorge Sanchez, Patricia Segura, and Jonathan Fuchs
Project Title: Short Message Services as an HIV Vaccine Recruitment Technique

2011 RAMP Scholars

Kathy Jo Carstarphen, MA

Kathy Jo Carstarphen, MA

University of Alabama School of Medicine

HVTN Site: University of Alabama and Lima
Mentors: Paul Goepfert and Jorge Sanchez
Project Title: Public Perceptions of HIV Prevention Strategies

John Chiosi

John Chiosi

Mount Sinai School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Cape Town
Mentors: Linda-Gail Bekker and Magda Sobieszczyk
Project Title: Assessing the impact of an HIV education campaign in a peri-urban community of Cape Town, South Africa

Chris Garnett, MPH

Chris Garnett, MPH

University of Kentucky School of Medicine

HVTN Site: Lima
Mentors: Javier Lama and Greg Wilson
Project Title: HIV Vaccine Acceptability Among Groups at High Risk for HIV Infection in Lima, Peru

Daniel Gonzales

Daniel Gonzales

Commonwealth Medical College

HVTN Site: Fenway
Mentors: Ken Mayer and Michele Andrasik
Project Title: Evaluating the effectiveness of HIV clinical trials recruitment strategies in subpopulations of MSM and MTF transgender individuals

Kathryn Lorraine Jones, Ph.D.

Kathryn Lorraine Jones, Ph.D.

Duke Medical School

HVTN Site: Duke Central Lab
Mentors: Julie McElrath and Barton Haynes
Project Title: Characterization of the Memory B Cell and Plasma Cell Repertoires with Functional Analysis of the Antibodies Generated in Response to a HIV Envelope DNA Prime and rAd5 Vector Boost Vaccination Regimen

Cesar Joel Lopez Angel

Cesar Joel Lopez Angel

Stanford School of Medicine

HVTN Site: San Francisco Department of Public Health

Mentor: Jonathan Fuchs

Project Title: “Facilitators and Barriers to Participating in HIV Vaccine Trials.”