World AIDS Day

The UNC Center for AIDS Research is thrilled to announce our 27th Annual World AIDS Day Symposium, taking place on Friday, December 5th, 2025, from 9:15 AM to 12:00 PM. This inspiring event brings together researchers, clinicians, community members, and advocates dedicated to advancing the fight against HIV/AIDS.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Geri Donenberg, NIH Associate Director for AIDS Research and Director of the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR), as our keynote speaker. Dr. Donenberg’s expertise and leadership in AIDS research promise to make this symposium a truly impactful experience.

Mark your calendars and join us for a morning of insightful presentations, meaningful dialogue, and community connection as we unite to honor World AIDS Day and continue our shared mission toward ending the HIV epidemic.

Agenda and Speakers

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Welcome and Introduction – Audrey Pettifor, PhD, Professor, Department of Epidemiology; Associate Director, Center for AIDS Research

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Keynote Presentation: “Advancing the Mission: Future Directions for NIH HIV Research” – Geri Donenberg, PhD, NIH Associate Director for AIDS Research; Director NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR)

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
“Using Surveillance Data to Assess Threats to HIV Testing, Care, and Prevention in NC” – Kim Powers, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology

10:30 am to 10:45 am
“HIV-1 replication in the CNS is associated with brain injury in people on and off ART” – Sarah Joseph, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Joseph Lab

10:45 am to 11:00 am
Break

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
“Predictive Analytics for HIV Research and Clinical Care” – Sonia Napravnik, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology; Associate Core Director, Center for AIDS Research Clinical Core

11:15 AM to 11:30 AM
“Healthier Lives with HIV: Preventing and Managing Other Health Conditions” – Thibaut Davy-Mendez, MSPH, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine; Center for AIDS Research Investigator

11:30 AM to 11:45 AM
“Improving HIV prevention and treatment outcomes in rural NC – taking the (long) shot” – Sarah Rutstein, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine

11:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Closing Remarks – Audrey Pettifor, PhD, Professor, Department of Epidemiology; Associate Director, Center for AIDS Research