The fifth annual retreat of the Duke Center for AIDS Research last week brought together scientists and clinicians from across the university who conduct research on HIV/AIDS. The Duke CFAR is funded by the National Institutes of Health, in order to promote collaboration among the community of HIV/AIDS investigators at Duke. The retreat highlighted the cutting-edge research that is taking place at the university, and provided an opportunity for strengthening networks and coordination. More than 20 Duke investigators submitted abstracts for the conference, and the top two awards went to investigators who are affiliated with DGHI.
 
Sara Lofgren, a third-year Duke medical student, received the award for "Best Oral Presentation." Lofgren presented data demonstrating the efficacy and effectiveness of using a Dried Blood Spot technique to conduct HIV testing and viral load monitoring among infants in rural Tanzania. Lofgren collected data in Tanzania between September of 2008 and July of 2009, under the mentorship of Duke physician John Crump and DGHI Associate Director for Research, John Bartlett. The study provides evidence for a more pragmatic testing alternative to liquid plasma-based methods, which requires cold storage and is logistically challenging in the remote areas of the world where HIV is most prevalent. The poster was recently selected for distinction at the HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
 
DGHI Faculty Member Christina Meade and Anya Drabkin,

a graduate student in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, received the award for Best Poster. The poster presented data demonstrating reductions in cocaine and alcohol use following a group coping intervention for HIV+ adults with childhood sexual abuse histories, which was developed by DGHI Affiliate Kathleen Sikkema. Substance abuse, particularly cocaine, is a primary area of research focus for Dr. Meade, who is currently conducting a study in the Duke Infectious Disease clinic that compares neurocognitive functioning among cocaine-using and cocaine-naïve HIV-infected adults, using both standard psychological interview and fMRI techniques.