February 16, 2023
The annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), kicks off February 19 and runs through February 22 in Seattle, Washington. This will be the first in-person CROI since 2019, but will also include the virtual component honed during COVID, with 3,000+ individuals registered to participate in-person and 500+ online.
Since CROI began 30 years ago, it has served as the go-to forum for the latest research on HIV, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis, COVID-19 and, more recently, monkeypox (mpox). Years of advocacy from AVAC and partners have made its research more accessible to non-research audiences, and ensured the voices and perspectives of affected communities are represented within the program, and ultimately the research.
For those attending or not, below are ways to follow along and join in the discussion and debate.
Follow Along
Conference coverage is available via aidsmap, AVAC on Twitter at @hivpxresearch and the conference hashtag #CROI2023.
Preview CROI
The Choice Agenda hosted the webinar, Ready, Set, CROI 2023: Prepare for the 30th Year of CROI on February 13. Researchers previewed the program, veteran CROI advocates offered tips for navigating the conference, and researcher, Victoria Walker-Sperling broke down key features for lay audiences on understanding scientific presentations. Watch the full recording here.
Participate in Daily Research Updates at the Margarita Breakfast Club
AVAC, the CROI Community Liaison Subcommittees, European AIDS Treatment Group, and other partners will host virtual Margarita Breakfast Clubs (MBCs) open to all. Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 7:00–8:00am PT (time converter), researchers and community advocates will discuss the hottest #CROI2023 presentations. CROI registration not required to participate.
Monday, February 20, 7:00–8:00am PT
Arrested Development: Discontinuation of the MOSAICO Trial, its Legacy and Expectations for HIV Vaccine Research
Zoom registration link
Tuesday, February 21, 7:00–8:00am PT
Moving Forward: Upcoming Strategies on STI Prevention
Zoom registration link
Wednesday, February 22, 7:00–8:00am PT
The Data Gap: Filling in the Missing Perspectives on Women and Children in HIV Research
Zoom registration link
Community Networking Zone
This year, for the first time, CROI will offer a Community Networking Zone in the poster area. Watch AVAC’s page on CROI 2023 for more details. For registered participants.
CROI 2023 Roadmap
Check out the sessions we’re most excited about below and review the full CROI program here.
Saturday, February 18, 9am-4pm PT
Pre-CROI Community HIV Cure Research Workshop
At the Crowne Plaza Seattle-Downtown, with a streaming option available. More information and registration for the workshop can be found here.
Sunday, February 19, 5:00-7:20pm PT
Opening Session, including:
- Martin Delaney Presentation: Community and Advocates Are Equal Partners in Research and Development, from Yvette Raphael
- CROI: A 30-YEAR Chronicle of HIV/AIDS Research Progress, from Anthony Fauci
The opening session will be live streamed from the CROI website; no registration required.
Monday, February 20
- Plenary: 20 Years of PEPFAR: Looking Back, Striding Forward, from ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong; 8:30-9:30am PT
- Oral Abstract Session 3: HIV and STI Prevention: New Tools and Approaches; 10:00am-12:00pm PT
- Oral Abstract Session 4: Insights Into Prevention and Treatment of HIV in Women and Children; 10:00am-12:00pm PT
- Themed Discussion 1: HIV and the Microbiome: New Themes; 1:30-2:30pm PT
- Themed Discussion 5: New Insights Through Recency Testing; 1:30-2:30pm PT
- Symposium Session 3: Delivering on the Success of Injectable PrEP; 4:00-5:30pm PT
Tuesday, February 21
- Plenary 2: HIV Reservoirs: Obstacles to a Cure from Janet Siliciano; 8:30-9:30am PT
- Oral Abstract Session 8: All Modes Lead to PrEP; 10:00-12:00pm PT
- Oral Abstract Session 9: Late-breaking Clinical Studies on COVID-19 and MPOX; 10:00-12:00pm PT
- Themed Discussion 9: Advances in PrEP Delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa; 1:30-2:30pm PT
- Symposium 6: Getting PrEPped (AND PEPped) For Sex: From HIV to STIs to Monkeypox; 4:00-5:30pm PT
- Special Session–1: Results from the Mosaico HIV Vaccine Trial and Future Directions for HIV Vaccines; 5:40-6:00pm PT
Wednesday, February 22
- Themed Discussion 10: Cellular Immune Control of HIV; 1:30-2:30pm PT
- Themed Discussion 13: Preclinical Studies of New Prevention Interventions; 1:30-2:30pm PT
- Symposium 9: Science Communication in the Age of Miscommunication; 4:00-5:30pm PT
Looking forward to seeing you at the daily Margarita Breakfast Club sessions!