CanCURE members gathered for the 8th Annual General Meeting
The 8th Annual general meeting of the Canadian HIV Cure Enterprise (CanCURE) was held on October 20th and 21st 2022. For the 1st time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held in person and virtually. This research consortium focused on HIV Cure is led by Dr. Éric A. Cohen, Research Professor at the IRCM and Director of the Human Retrovirology research unit. The CanCURE research program is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
This year’s meeting brought together 73 participants, including 25 basic and clinical researchers, as well as 39 students, postdoctoral fellows and research associates. Members of CanCURE’s Scientific Advisory Board virtually participated in the meeting and provided great insight to all presenters. In addition, 6 members from our community advisory board were present, including CanCURE’s two principal knowledge users. Our community representatives provided a point of view from the perspectives of the community living with HIV/AIDS; while actively taking part in the discussions and exchanges with the scientists and the students.
This year’s keynote Speaker was Mirko Paiardini, Ph.D. A Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Emory University’s School of Medicine, and Research Scientist in the Division of Microbiology and Immunology at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center (YNPRC). Dr. Paiardini also acts as co-Director of Emory’s Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) “Next Generation Therapeutics” scientific working group. His presentation focused on his studies on Immune based strategies for HIV remission that he is pursuing in the context of the ERASE HIV Martin Delaney collaboratory.
In addition, the team's scientific investigators presented the latest progress of their CanCURE research projects. An interactive community and trainee activity took place. The goal of this activity was to allow trainees to give and receive feedback on their knowledge translation skills from the perspective of their peers and community members.
Finally, 24 trainees showcased the results of their work during 5-minute flash talk presentations, followed by a 2-minute question period. Some trainees also displayed posters of their projects to complement their presentations
The flash talks were evaluated by a committee and 5 were selected as winners.
CanCURE AGM 2022 Flash Talk Presentation award winners
Congratulations to the Winners and to all the trainees for their participation!
The CanCURE team wishes to thank our members, trainees, our scientific and community advisory boards for attending the meeting. Their continuous support and expert advice throughout the last years are much appreciated. CanCURE also wishes to thank the CIHR representatives who joined in on the meeting for their support. We also would like to thank the IRCM and those who worked and volunteered during the AGM.
Lastly, CanCURE wishes to thank all the conference sponsors for their continuous support in organizing our annual meeting this year.
Until next year!