HIV Next Generation Conference

The 2022 CHIPTS HIV Next Generation Virtual Conference is this upcoming Friday, January 28, 2022 from 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM. The conference is VIRTUAL and FREE to attend. Access the conference recap with opening remarks, open plenary, and panel discussions. https://chipts.ucla.edu/news/chipts-2022-hiv-next-generation-virtual-conference-recap/

Please REGISTER if you would like to attend. The conference is organized to support the next generation of HIV researchers and service providers who are working towards an end to HIV/AIDS through networking and sharing visions for future priorities. The theme of this year’s conference is “Resilience and Risk: Changing Paradigms.” The conference will feature oral and poster presentations by faculty, student and emerging researchers from various institutions.

Download conference program:
2022 Next Generation Conference Program
Download agenda only:
2022 Next Generation Conference Agenda
Download oral presentations:
2022 Next Generation Conference Oral Presentations
Download poster presentations:
2022 Next Generation Conference Poster Presentations
Download:
Zoom Breakout Room Instructions

We invite you to take a look at the poster presentations below which will be featured at the 2022 Next Generation Virtual Conference.

CEU credits: Attend the conference, and sign in and out using the form that will be provided to receive credits. The PAETC will follow up post-conference.

The Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center – Los Angeles Area is accredited to provide the following: Continuing LCSW and MFT Education Credit. Courses meet the qualification for a maximum 3.5 hour of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider #PCE 128280. Continuing Nursing Education Credit. Course is approved for a maximum of 3.5 contact hour by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider #15484.

Poster Presentation 1

Presenter(s):

• Cherie Blair, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Presentation Title: HIV, Methamphetamine Use, and Pulmonary Hypertension: From Blue Skies to an Integrated Research Agenda

Summary: This project was funded by the 2021 CHIPTS Kickstarter Grant. We will present findings from a joint UCLA/CHIPTS and Stanford symposium to develop a collective research agenda to identify and address the overlapping behavioral, biomedical, and social contexts of HIV, methamphetamine use, and pulmonary hypertension

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 2

Presenter(s):

• Ekrem Cetinkaya, MS, Medical Student, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Eshani Choksi, BS, Medical Student, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Surayya Miller, MBS, Medical Student, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Nishawn Rahaman, MS, Medical Student, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Krzysztof Zembrzuski, BA, Medical Student, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Presentation Title: Risk Factors for HIV Progression Among Males Ages 18-35 in Essex County, New Jersey: A Literature Review

Summary: This presentation summarizes various risk factors that were identified in literature, that affect HIV progression and poor prognosis. We chose the 18-35-year-old male population in Essex County, New Jersey, as we believe that this population specifically faces extensive socioeconomic disadvantages that have contributed to the extremely high prevalence of HIV in this region. We believe that highlighting the risk factors that predispose this population to poorer outcomes is imperative in facilitating change to allocate more resources and attention to individuals in this area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 3

Presenter(s):

• Homero E. del Pino, PhD, MS, Associate Professor, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Research Health Scientist, GRECC (Geriatric Research, Education & Clinical Center), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
• Petra Durán, BA, Clinical Coordinator, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
• Angel Martínez, MS, Volunteer, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
• Edwin Rojas, MPH, Research Assistant, St. John’s Well Child and Family Center

Presentation Title: Engaging the Siblings of Latinx MSM in Promoting PrEP Use

Summary: The siblings of Latinx MSM are an overlooked source of social support in HIV prevention strategies. We will share findings from our community-partnered study that aims to engage siblings in the promotion of PrEP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 4

Presenter(s):

• Gabriel G. Edwards, MD, MPH, Assistant Project Scientist, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research
• Carolyn Belton, MHHS, AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Presentation Title: Services for Re-Entry Populations: Community-Focused Development of a Policy Brief

Summary: This presentation describes the process of creating a policy brief on community re-entry services for individuals leaving incarceration. The brief was a collaboration between academics and community members, in response to an ongoing initiative to create policy recommendations around alternatives to incarceration in Los Angeles County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 5

Presenter(s):

• Kevin Frost, Undergraduate Student at University of Southern California, Director of External Affairs at Harm Reduction Los Angeles
• Sid Ganesh, BA, BS, PhD candidate, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and the Institute for Prevention Research at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Cofounder and Codirector at Harm Reduction Los Angeles
• Tucker Avra, DVM, Medical Student, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Cofounder and Codirector at Harm Reduction Los Angeles

Presentation Title: 1st Annual Harm Reduction in Clinical Praxis CME Conference

Summary: Birthed in the HIV epidemic in the US, Harm Reduction is a social justice movement and a framework for resource allocation that centers intersectional communities most impacted by the racist and anti-immigrant War on Drugs. The 1st Annual Harm Reduction in Clinical Praxis CME Conference was hosted by Harm Reduction Los Angeles in conjunction with the USC CME office at Keck School of Medicine on September 25, 2021, with a focus on offering interventional, institutional, and structural tools specific to improving care and outcomes for people who use drugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 6

Presenter(s):

• Caleb Garcia, BS Candidate, Undergraduate Student, HIV Counseling and Testing Coalition at UCLA

Presentation Title: UCLA’s First Annual Sexual Health and Wellness Fair: Building a Healthier, Safer, & More Sex-Positive Campus

Summary: With the gracious support of the CHIPTS Kick Start Grant, the student-run HIV Counseling and Testing Coalition held its’ inaugural Sexual Health and Wellness Fair. The primary goal of the Fair was to administer free HIV tests and provide client-specific risk-reduction counseling to students, staff, and faculty. Our organization also utilized the Fair as an opportunity to re-introduce ourselves to the campus community as a free and confidential testing, counseling, and educational resource after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 7

Presenter(s):

• Bill Le, BA, PrEP Education Specialist, APLA Health
• Ian Klinger, MA, Research Coordinator, APLA Health
• Matt Mutchler, PhD, Principal Investigator, APLA Health

Presentation Title: Innovative Outreach Strategies for a PrEP study during COVID-19

Summary: The poster presentation will discuss how to increase strategies for outreach and recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic to support PrEP uptake between YBMSM and their close friends. As time has progressed and mandated shutdowns and “stay at home orders” in Los Angeles County have been lifted or lessened, in-person events have slowly started reappearing. This has led to us developing a new hybrid strategy which we are currently working to employ to reach our target population during these challenging times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 8

Presenter(s):

• Charles McWells, BA, HIV Prevention Services Manager, Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Instructor, Community Faculty at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Presentation Title: Velvet Jesus: An Edu-tainment Model for Behavioral Change Among At-Risk LGBTQ Adults of Color

Summary: “Educational Entertainment” (or “Edu-tainment”) is an evidence-based model that uses film, television, theatre or other forms of performance art to convey health-empowerment messages.  In this project, Black and Latinx LGBTQ adults participated in screenings of a motion picture that focused on homophobia, childhood trauma, mental health disorders, and HIV/AIDS.  Following the screenings, audience members discussed how their shared experiences mirrored the film plot, and developed alternative plot-lines in which the characters made healthier behavioral choices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 9

Presenter(s):

• Dianna Polanco, BA, Research Coordinator, UCLA Semel Institute Center for Community Health

Presentation Title: Do Chatbots Have a Place in Adolescent HIV Research? A Qualitative Study in Los Angeles and New Orleans

Summary: The purpose of this abstract is to assess usability chatbots in research. Focus groups were held to discuss the pros and cons of using chatbots in research studies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 10

Presenter(s):

• Rebecca Ruiz, BS, HIV Project Empowerment Trainer, AltaMed Health Services

Presentation Title: Virtual Training Significantly Increases Primary Care Providers’ PrEP Knowledge

Summary: Several studies have shown that a lack of knowledge among primary care providers (PCPs) about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can be a barrier to HIV preventative care; when PCPs increase their knowledge about PrEP, they are more likely to initiate discussions about PrEP and prescribe it to their patients. We developed and conducted trainings among PCPs within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to increase provider comfort/willingness with prescribing PrEP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poster Presentation 11

Presenter(s):

• Jimena Sandoval, BA, Case Manager, Bienestar Human Services, Inc.
• Ricardo Mendoza Lepe, PhD, Field Specialist and Research Coordinator, Bienestar Human Services, Inc.
• Ronald Brooks, PhD, Assistant Professor at Department of Family Medicine at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, and he is also Director of Research and Evaluation at Bienestar Human Services, Inc.
• Brendan O’Connell, MSW, Chief Operating Officer, Bienestar Human Services, Inc.

Presentation Title: Homeless not hopeless: The impact of support systems in improving the quality of life of transgender people of color experiencing homelessness

Summary: Identifying the impact that social support connections, specifically from family members, have on trans people of color in facing risk situations and preventing future risk factors.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Opening Remarks by:

• Norweeta Milburn, PhD, Director, CHIPTS Development Core
• Steve Shoptaw, PhD, Director, CHIPTS 

Conference Facilitator and Announcements by:

• Dallas Swendeman, PHD, Co-Director, CHIPTS Development Core

Opening Plenary

 

Presentation Title:
Promoting Resistance and Resilience for Holistic Health: The Power of LGBTQIA+ Youth

• Gary W. Harper, PhD, MPH, Professor, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Panel 1: PrEP with Gay and Bisexual Men

 

Presentation Title:
Correlates of Sexual Contact, COVID Testing, and Comfort Attending Sexual Venues During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Global Sample of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with M

• Juan C. Jauregui, MSW, MPH, Doctoral Student, Gay Sexuality and Social Policy Initiative, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Los Angeles

Presentation Title:
Using PrEP is Being Part of a Larger Movement: Additional Individual and Community Level Benefits of PrEP Use Among Latino Gay and Bisexual Men

• Martin Santillan Jr., Research Assistant, Bienestar Human Services

 

Panel 2: HIV and Substance Use

 

Panel Discussant: Pamina M. Gorbach, MHS, DRPH Global HIV Director, CHIPTS Co-Director, UCLA Center for AIDS Research Program on Biobehavioral Epidemiology and Substance Use.

Presentation Title:
Sexual Risk Among Pregnant Women at Risk of HIV Infection in Cape Town, South Africa: What Does Alcohol Have to do With it?

• Amanda P. Miller, PhD, MSc, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Epidemiology, UCLA

Panel 3: PrEP with Women

 

Presentation Title:
Examining Interest in HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Delivery Modalities Among Ghanaian Immigrant Women in the US

• Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong, MA, MPH, PhD Candidate, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo -The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
• David Adzrago, PhD(C), MSW, MPhil, PhD Candidate, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, School of Public Health, University of Texas, Houston, Texas

Presentation Title:
"I Want to See What That’s About”: Black Women’s Insights on Accessing PrEP via a Telehealth App

• Drew Mack, BSc, Medical Student, Charles Drew University, Urban Health Institute

Presentation Title:
Piloting TelePrEP Information Sessions: An Implementation Strategy to Increase PrEP Awareness and Optimize PrEP Uptake Among Latina Cisgender Women

• Dilara K. Üsküp, PhD, PhD, Assistant Professor (In Progress), UCLA Department of Family Medicine & Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences Department of Internal Medicine
• Omar Nieto, BS, Project Director, UCLA Department of Family Medicine

Panel 4: People Living with HIV

 

Presentation Title:
Developing an Online Platform to Improve Social Connections for Older Adults Aging with HIV: Lessons Learned from Multi-site Discussion Groups

• • Karah Greene, MSW, Research Assistant, ACCESS Lab, University of South Florida, School of Social Work
• Presentation Title:
  HIV Stigma is Associated with Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life Among Black Sexual Minority Men Living With HIV
  • Chenglin Hong, MSW, MPH, PhD Candidate, Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
• Presentation Title: N/A
  • Andrea. N. Polonijo, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced

 

Panel 5: Youth and HIV

 

Panel Discussant: Sabrina L. Smiley, PhD, MPH, MCHES Core Scientist, CHIPTS Combination Prevention Core, Assistant Professor of Research in Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of the University of Southern California (USC)

• Presentation Title:
  Alcohol Misuse During the COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders Among Youth at Risk or Living with HIV: A Study in Los Angeles and New Orleans
  • Roxana Rezai, MPH, Doctoral Student, Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA and Center for Community Health, Department of Psychiatry, UCLA
• Presentation Title:
  Violence Experiences are Associated with HIV transmission Risk Over One Year Among a Prospective Sample of Sexual Minority Adolescents in the United States
  • Joshua A. Rusow, PhD, MSW, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles
• Presentation Title:
  Impact of Resilience, Social Support, and Healthcare Empowerment on HIV Care Engagement and Viral Suppression among Young Black Sexual Minority Men with HIV in the US South: Overcoming Social and Structural Barriers.
  • Erik Storholm, PhD, Assistant Professor, San Diego State University, School of Public Health
  • Wilson Vincent, PHD, Assistant Professor, Temple University, Department of Psychology