Tuesday, May 13, 2025
5/13/2025
Annual HVTN Translational HIV Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Conference - PROJECT SUMMARY ANNUAL TRANSLATIONAL HIV EARLY STAGE INVESTIGATOR (ESI) CONFERENCE This R13 application requests continued NIH support for four annual conferences for Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) conducting translational HIV vaccine, cure, immunology, and co-infection research with non-human primates (NHPs). These meetings are organized contiguous with the NHP AIDS Symposium and gather ESIs and mentors for scientific networking, career development, and training in translational science skills. In Year 1, the meeting will be held at the Tulane National Primate Center in New Orleans, LA in conjunction with the NHP AIDS Symposium. The conferences are planned by a diverse advisory group of experts in the field including scientists at all stages of their careers. K01 HIV/AIDS Scholars and mentors complete a needs assessment to determine priority topics for the meeting. The advisory committee develops the meeting agenda using the input from this needs assessment. Attendees at the ESI Conferences will participate in training and skill-building activities on important translational scientific topics (e.g., cure, prevention, vaccine, and therapeutic research; NHP models of TB and coinfections); mentoring opportunities with senior and peer investigators (e.g., panel discussions on career development); skill building for research career development training (e.g., ESI funding landscape, how to conduct research with HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), manuscript writing); “Works in Progress” presentations; and organized networking opportunities with other ESIs and senior investigators (e.g., receptions, speed dating, and small group discussions). The meeting has no registration fee and travel scholarships will be awarded to talented ESIs, with priority for underrepresented applicants, and K01 Scholars and mentors, thus providing opportunities for these groups to continue to interact and support translational science. The inclusion of women, underrepresented minorities and individuals with disabilities will be supported as speakers, attendees, and advisors, with a goal of creating a meeting environment that is welcoming to diverse scientists. HVTN staff will organize the conference and will provide further translational research opportunities by facilitating participation for 3 K01 Scholars at the annual HVTN Full Group Meeting in Washington, DC. These conferences will fill a critical gap in scientific knowledge and workforce development by ensuring that the next generation of diverse ESI are able to facilitate greater translation of research between preclinical NHP studies and clinical trials. Building a workforce for the future composed of scientists with strong translational skills is critical to ending the HIV epidemic and developing HIV vaccines, therapeutics, and cure strategies.
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