Ending the HIV epidemic in Missouri and the Midwest through groundbreaking research, innovative solutions, and community-driven practices for change

Collaboration and Coordination

Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University have joined forces to establish the Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research (Midwest D-CFAR) with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The center serves as a platform for researchers and public health workers to collaborate and coordinate their efforts to fight the HIV epidemic together. The Midwest D-CFAR is organized into four scientific cores (specialized resource hubs) that provide essential infrastructure, expertise, and services to enhance the quality and efficiency of HIV research. Visit our core services page to learn more.

Our vision is to equitably improve the lives of people affected by the HIV epidemic. Our mission is to expand the scope, quality, and impact of science addressing HIV. Our goal is to transform our institutions to lead science aligned with the NIH HIV research priorities, contributing to turning the tide on this epidemic.

Applications are now being accepted for Investigator Pilot Awards and Partner Pilot Awards!

Letters of intent (optional) are due October 21, and full proposals are due on November 15. Full details are available on our funding page.

HIV News

D-CFAR News

Featured
New INSPIRE Center aims to transform HIV prevention and treatment for young people in LMICs
New INSPIRE Center aims to transform HIV prevention and treatment for young people in LMICs

The INSPIRE Center seeks to adapt, scale, and sustain evidence-based interventions that reduce HIV inequities for adolescents and young adults in Africa while optimizing the translation of research findings into real-world impact.

SPOTLIGHT on Liang Shan
SPOTLIGHT on Liang Shan

Liang Shan, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Medicine and of Pathology & Immunology and co-director of the Midwest D-CFAR Advanced Technology Core.

Midwest D-CFAR expertise on display at the International AIDS Conference
Midwest D-CFAR expertise on display at the International AIDS Conference

The 2024 AIDS Conference was held in Munich, Germany, in July, and representatives from the Midwest D-CFAR were there as facilitators, attendees, and presenters.

SPOTLIGHT on Rachel Presti, MD, PhD
SPOTLIGHT on Rachel Presti, MD, PhD

Rachel Presti, MD, PhD, is medical director of the WashU Infectious Disease Clinical Research Unit (IDCRU) and co-director of the Midwest D-CFAR Clinical Science Core.

HIP Seminar Recap: HIV and Telehealth
HIP Seminar Recap: HIV and Telehealth

The D-CFAR's inaugural HIV Works in Progress (HIP) seminar was held in July 2024, featuring a presentation by Dr. Dima Dandachi, Associate Professor at the University of Missouri. Dr. Dandachi presented her study, "ACCELERATE: A Multisite Type II Implementation – Effectiveness Hybrid Mixed Methods Study of a Simplified Accelerated ART Initiation Protocol for People with HIV Who Are Out of Care."

The NIAID-STAR program wraps up its second year
The NIAID-STAR program wraps up its second year

The burden of HIV is inequitably distributed so that it most heavily impacts historically oppressed communities in the US. Although these communities are most impacted by the HIV epidemic, they are also the most underrepresented in the current field of HIV research. The NIAID-STAR program, led by D-CFAR co-director Juliet Iwelunmor, was created to respond to this gap.

Newsletter

Keep in touch with us to receive updates on Midwest D-CFAR events, training and funding opportunities, and more!