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

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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
(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

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
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
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
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)
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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

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)
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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”

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
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
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.
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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.
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
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.”