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The NHLBI HIV/AIDS Program provides global leadership for research, training, and education programs designed to promote research on HIV-related heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) disorders, as well as blood-based therapies. Critical research in these areas will result in discoveries that enhance the survival and quality of life of people with HIV and may also lead to knowledge that benefits all people with heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders.
The following NHLBI Divisions work together on the NHLBI HIV/AIDS Program.
Tremendous progress in the treatment of HIV has led to increased survival and a dramatic evolution in the understanding of the disease. Trends over the past decades reveal that overall, individuals are living longer with HIV. As a result, the challenges have now shifted from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS—the most advanced stage of the HIV infection—to other chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and chronic anemia. Multiple studies have shown that people with HIV have a significantly higher risk of developing heart, lung, and blood conditions and that these conditions may develop earlier in people with HIV compared to the general population.
Because people with HIV are living longer, new research is needed to better understand the long-term effects of chronic infection, inflammation, and use of antiretroviral medications. The NHLBI HIV/AIDS Program also supports research on the effects of HIV in children and young adults. It is important to include children in research because cardiovascular risk factors are known to develop earlier in children with HIV, and children with HIV are also at risk of developing cardiomyopathy.
The NHLBI HIV/AIDS Program has funded a wide range of HIV-related heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders research, including the following:
View funding information for the NHLBI HIV/AIDS Program.
The NHLBI encourages researchers to utilize existing NIH clinical/observational cohorts, biological specimens, databases (such as dbGaP), or imaging banks whenever possible for HIV-related heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders research. Investigators interested in utilizing data and stored samples from NHLBI studies can submit a request through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). In addition, the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study Data Analysis and Coordinating Center handles requests for data and biospecimens related to the Combined Cohort Study.
The following are HIV/AIDS research resources that the NIH Office of AIDS Research provides.
This trans-NHLBI program funds innovative research that responds to the evolving challenges of HIV. The NHLBI HIV/AIDS Team coordinates all HIV-related research in heart, lung, blood, and sleep, including translation research and implementation science. The NHLBI held working group meetings starting in 2012 to identify research priorities. The Institute has since developed various initiatives to support research targeting HIV-related priorities.
The NHLBI identifies key HIV-related research priorities in the areas of heart, lung, blood, and sleep science in part by convening HIV/AIDS Working Group meetings. The most recent Working Groups include:
Based on the recommendations of the HIV/AIDS Working Groups, the NHLBI has developed dedicated HIV-related requests for applications (RFAs) that highlight scientific opportunities in HIV-related heart, lung, blood, and sleep science. View funding information for NHLBI HIV/AIDS program research.
Contact information for NHLBI HIV/AIDS Program team members is available in the areas of heart, lung, blood, and sleep research; biostatistics; clinical research; translation research; implementation science; and grant management.
Shimian Zou, Ph.D.
NHLBI HIV/AIDS Coordinator
shimian.zou@nih.gov
DaRel Barksdale, MPH
NHLBI HIV/AIDS Scientific Program Manager
darel.barksdale@nih.gov
Cardiovascular Team
Sean Altekruse, D.V.M., Ph.D., M.P.H.
Scientific/Research Officer
altekrusesf@mail.nih.gov
Ahmed A.K. Hasan, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Officer/Program Director
hasana@nhlbi.nih.gov
Fassil Ketema, M.S.
Clinical Trials Specialist/Program Officer
Fassil.ketema@nih.gov
Renee Wong, Ph.D.
Chief, Heart Failure and Arrhythmias Branch
wongr2@nhlbi.nih.gov
Lung and Sleep Team
Neil Aggarwal, M.D.
Chief, Lung Biology and Disease Branch
neil.aggarwal@nih.gov
Josh Fessel, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical/Program Officer
josh.fessel@nih.gov
Emmanuel Mongodin, Ph.D.
Program Officer
emmanuel.mongodin@nih.gov
Barry Schmetter
Clinical Trials Specialist
schmetterb@nhlbi.nih.gov
Blood Team
Nahed El Kassar, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical/Program Officer
nahed.elkassar@nih.gov
Simone Glynn, M.D., MSc, MPH
Chief, Blood Epidemiology and Clinical Therapeutics Branch
glynnsa@nhlbi.nih.gov
Catherine Levy, RN
Clinical Trials Specialist
levyc@nhlbi.nih.gov
Translation Research and Implementation Science Team
Cheryl Boyce, Ph.D.
Chief, Implementation Science Branch
cheryl.boyce@nih.gov
Joyonna (Joy) Gamble-George, MHA, Ph.D.
Health Scientist/AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow
joyonna.gamble-george@nih.gov
Makeda Williams, Ph.D., MPH
Global Health Program Director
willimak@mail.nih.gov
Division of Extramural Research Activities Team
Debbie Chen
Deputy Director, Grants Management
debbie.chen@nih.gov
Tony L. Creazzo, Ph.D.
Scientific Review Officer
creazzotl@nhlbi.nih.gov:
Fatima Kamara
Grants Management Specialist
fatima.kamara@nih.gov
Yingying Li-Smerin, Ph.D.
Scientific Review Officer
lismerin@nhlbi.nih.gov
Tawana McKeither
Chief, Cardiovascular Sciences Grants Management Branch
tawana.mckeither@nih.gov
Megan Mitchell, MPH
Deputy Referral Officer
mitchellm3@nhlbi.nih.gov
Lynn Rundhaugen
Grants Management Specialist
lynn.rundhaugen@nih.gov
Financial Management Team
Lina Allen
NHLBI Budget Officer
allenli@nhlbi.nih.gov
William Stryker
Senior Budget Analyst
wiiliam.stryker@nih.gov
Tremendous progress in the treatment of HIV has led to increased survival and a dramatic evolution of the disease’s course in patients.
Researchers have begun enrolling participants in a multicenter international clinical trial to test whether statin administration can reduce the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease, in people with HIV infection. The trial is supported by the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart,...