For immediate release
Vancouver (April 5, 2018) — Organizers of the 27th Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research – to be held in Vancouver from April 26th to 29th – launched the official conference program today. The conference, led by the Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR), will bring together more than 900 of Canada’s top scientists, physicians, and community leaders, and will include four major plenary presentations focusing on the paramount issues facing the global HIV/AIDS response. The Conference co-chairs, Dr. Hélène Côté (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Melanie Murray (University of British Columbia), selected the theme “Celebrating our Diversity: Uniting in the Response to HIV” for this year’s event.
“At CAHR 2018, we will endeavour to acknowledge and celebrate diversity among both people with lived experience of HIV, as well as among HIV researchers,” said Dr. Murray. “By uniting groups of researchers from multiple tracks — along with health care professionals, community workers, academics, trainees, educators, activists, volunteers, people with lived experience of HIV, and policy makers — we can improve the lives of people living with HIV and prevent new infections.”
This year’s program will present new scientific knowledge on the major issues facing the global response to HIV. Featured plenary sessions will include the following:
- “HPV-Associated Cancers in HIV-Infected Men and Women: The Promise and the Challenges of the Future” (Dr. Joel Palefsky, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine)
- “Working Together to Address Structural Inequities and Harms of HIV and Overdose” (Dr. Bernadette Pauly, Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research, University of Victoria Provost’s Community Engaged Scholar)
- “Harnessing the Immune System to Eliminate and/or Control HIV” (Dr. Steven Deeks, Professor of Medicine in Residence at the University of California)
- “Ending the HIV Epidemic in Canada by 2025: Getting to zero – Can we get there?” (Dr. Sean Rourke, Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto)
“Canadians continue to make key contributions to HIV/AIDS research,” said Dr. Côté. “This is reflected in the number of abstracts (nearly 500) that will be presented to CAHR 2018. Further, the Conference provides a platform to showcase the cutting-edge research that is being undertaken throughout the country and right here in Vancouver”.
The Conference opening will include a very special tribute to the life and work of Dr. Mark Wainberg (1945- 2017), as well as the presentation of major awards in HIV research:
- The Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) will honour the 2018 winners of the CAHR-CANFAR Excellence in Research Awards. These awards are bestowed annually to mid-career researchers who while at the prime of their careers have achieved a track record of excellence and demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of those living with HIV with or at risk. The 2018 winners of the CAHR-CANFAR Excellence in Research Awards are:
o Basic Sciences: Dr. Adam Burgener, University of Manitoba
o Clinical Sciences: Dr. Darrell Tan, University of Toronto
o Epidemiology-Public Health: Dr. Ann Burchell, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital
o Social Sciences: Dr. David Brennan, University of Toronto
o Community-Based Research: Dr. Winston Husbands, Ontario HIV Treatment Network
- The 2018 Red Ribbon Award (which is presented annually by CAHR for outstanding service to the cause of research in HIV/AIDS) will be presented to Valerie Nicholson, Elder and Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN).
In addition, a number special sessions will take place including: an overview on the latest in HIV vaccine research; an examination of the microbiome and HIV; the latest news in HIV/HCV co-infection; an in-depth review of women-centred HIV care in Canada; a check-in of the status of impactful community practice; and an update on Indigenous focussed HIV research approaches.
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It is estimated that 34 million people are living with HIV. In Canada, HIV remains a pressing issue with an estimated 2300 to 4300 new infections each year, with certain populations over-represented in the epidemic. Over 70,000 Canadians are currently living with HIV, and many more are at risk of being infected.
The conference will be held at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, British Columbia.
About CAHR
The Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) is the professional organization for HIV/AIDS research in Canada and by Canadians. CAHR is composed of researchers in all disciplines of HIV/AIDS science, for the purpose of improving prevention and treatment with an ultimate goal of eradication and cure. The annual CAHR conference is the premier gathering in Canada for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic.
See conference website at: https://www.cahr-acrv.ca/conference/
Detailed overview of conference speakers at: https://www.cahr-acrv.ca/conference/program/
Media Accreditation: https://www.cahr-acrv.ca/conference/registration/#med-acc
Contact: Erin Love, Email: erin.love@cahr-acrv.ca Phone: 613-864-5154
