World-renowned leader in HIV/AIDS research to speak at McMaster

A dedicated group of community members, including people from McMaster University, the AIDS Network, other community groups and people with HIV/AIDS (called the Hamilton Community HIV Advisory Research Working Group or HCHARG) has included one of the top global authorities on HIV and AIDS on its itinerary at the HIV/AIDS Education, Research, and Knowledge Transfer conference on April 9 and 10.

Dr. Mark Wainberg, the director of the McGill AIDS Centre at McGill University, is a professor of molecular biology/virology and a globally-recognized leader in HIV/AIDS research.

“HIV community groups have long helped researchers through lobby efforts for increased levels of funding. Now, HIV scientists must stand by community groups to ensure that support remains in place for valuable projects that are currently threatened,” explains Wainberg. “This event in Hamilton will provide a forum for dialogue between researchers and community, resulting in continued support for such work, ultimately in a diminished incidence of new HIV transmissions among vulnerable populations.”

Wainberg will be heard by more than 100 key community members representing physicians, allied health, social services, researchers and partners at the McMaster University Student Centre on the evening of April 9.

This conference, the first of its kind in Hamilton, aims to encourage and create stronger links between health/social service, research groups, people with HIV/AIDS and the Hamilton community.

“It's clear we need to better inform our public with regard to advances in treatment and support services available for people with HIV/AIDS (commonly known as PHAs),” says Rob Alexander, director of support services for the AIDS Network and a member of HCHARG.

“We intend to encourage working relationships with other individuals or organizations in the community to create a higher profile for HIV/AIDS research and services in Hamilton — as well as to engage people with HIV/AIDS in the process,” he continues. “Our hope is that in doing so, we'll be able to reach new, previously difficult-to-reach audiences.”

The purpose of the conference is to streamline communication between the work of the health/research system and the public, creating greater understanding of new, groundbreaking research advances and discoveries.

This event is a prelude to the established Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) national conference, taking place this month in Montreal, and the International AIDS Conference 2008, scheduled for August in Mexico.

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A dedicated group of community members, including people from McMaster University, the AIDS Network, other community groups and people with HIV/AIDS (called the Hamilton Community HIV Advisory Research Working Group or HCHARG) has included one of the top global authorities on HIV and AIDS on its itinerary at the HIV/AIDS Education, Research, and Knowledge Transfer conference on April 9 and 10.<br />
<br />
<p>Dr. Mark Wainberg, the director of the McGill AIDS Centre at McGill University, is a professor of molecular biology/virology and a globally-recognized leader in HIV/AIDS research.  <br />
<br />
<p>"HIV community groups have long helped researchers through lobby efforts for increased levels of funding.  Now, HIV scientists must stand by community groups to ensure that support remains in place for valuable projects that are currently threatened," explains Wainberg. "This event in Hamilton will provide a forum for dialogue between researchers and community, resulting in continued support for such work, ultimately in a diminished incidence of new HIV transmissions among vulnerable populations."<br />
<br />
<p>Wainberg will be heard by more than 100 key community members representing physicians, allied health, social services, researchers and partners at the McMaster University Student Centre on the evening of April 9. <br />
<br />
<p>This conference, the first of its kind in Hamilton, aims to encourage and create stronger links between health/social service, research groups, people with HIV/AIDS and the Hamilton community.  <br />
<br />
<p>"It&#039;s clear we need to better inform our public with regard to advances in treatment and support services available for people with HIV/AIDS (commonly known as PHAs)," says Rob Alexander, director of support services for the AIDS Network and a member of HCHARG.<br />
<br />
<p>"We intend to encourage working relationships with other individuals or organizations in the community to create a higher profile for HIV/AIDS research and services in Hamilton -- as well as to engage people with HIV/AIDS in the process," he continues.  "Our hope is that in doing so, we&#039;ll be able to reach new, previously difficult-to-reach audiences."<br />
<br />
<p>The purpose of the conference is to streamline communication between the work of the health/research system and the public, creating greater understanding of new, groundbreaking research advances and discoveries.<br />
<br />
<p>This event is a prelude to the established Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) national conference, taking place this month in Montreal, and the International AIDS Conference 2008, scheduled for August in Mexico.<br />

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