Looking Back: HIV Center Marks 20th Anniversary

The day focused on a series of morning speakers and an afternoon Open House. Speakers at both events provided both contemporary and historical overviews of the work of the HIV Center, and how its research agenda has evolved to meet the changing demands of an increasingly global epidemic. (To listen to podcasts of the remarks of any of the speakers, click here and scroll down to March 27.)

Keynote speaker Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Ph.D.

The keynote address was given by Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Ph.D. of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, who spoke on the theme of "HIV Prevention in 2008: At a Crossroads?" After first acknowledging that major advances have occurred over the 27 years since AIDS was first identified, Dr. Karim noted numerous major problems still facing the world in general and South Africa in particular. Few of those who need antiretroviral medications are receiving them, she stressed. Likewise, she highlighted that no effective microbicides or vaccine has been developed, that many developing countries suffer from a lack of medical personnel, and that prevention science has continued to be too often discounted. "There is," she stated, "no room for complacency."

The other speaker invited from outside the HIV Center was Ellen Stover, Ph.D. who has been the HIV Center's main liaison with NIMH since 1987, and today is Director of the Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research, and AIDS at NIMH. Dr. Stover recounted the founding and early days of the HIV Center, and then traced how it has fulfilled its NIMH mandate over the past two decades, particularly with regard to research on HIV and women. On an optimistic note, Dr. Stover stated that among politicians and policymakers in Washington DC, there is now "increasing appreciation of the sound science base provided by behavioral research." 

HIV Center Co-Director Emerita Zena Stein, M.B., B.Ch.

Following the keynote address, remarks were offered by Anke A. Ehrhardt, Ph.D., the HIV Center's Director, and Zena Stein, M.B., B.Ch. who is now Co-Director Emerita. Dr. Ehrhardt discussed the issues that in her personal experience have been the most gratifying, the most challenging, and the most frustrating over the past 20 years. (The "From the Director" column in this issue contains more details). Dr. Stein outlined the challenges of HIV prevention, from the earliest days in which many thought that women were not at risk, down to such current issues as microbicide development and reproductive choice among people living with HIV.

HIV Center Training Director Theo Sandfort and HIV Center Associate Director Heino Meyer-Bahlburg

A variety of different perspectives on the past two decades were also offered by five of the senior researchers who have been at the HIV Center for the longest period of time. HIV Center Associate Director Heino Meyer-Bahlburg, Dr. rer. nat. traced the history of sexuality research in the context of HIV, particularly the development of a sound empirical base. Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D. discussed the unique mental health and other challenges facing families affected by HIV, and the unique resources offered by the Special Needs Clinic, which the HIV Center played a critical role in founding at the Columbia University Medical Center. Theresa Exner, Ph.D. reviewed the HIV Center's pioneering, and continuing, work on dual protection against HIV/STIs and unintended pregnancy, particularly with regard to female-controlled methods of prevention.

Photo above: HIV Center investigator Robert Remien., Ph.D. and HIV Center Associate Director Patricia Warne, Ph.D.

Robert Remien, Ph.D. reviewed the challenges facing people living with HIV, from managing their sexual lives, to adhering to complex medication regimens, to remaining resilient in the face of adversity. HIV Center Associate Director Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D. concluded the morning, recalling that like many others he did not originally expect to spend his career working on AIDS-related issues, but that his 18 years at the HIV Center had been "a wonderful, wonderful trip."

The day's events continued with an Open House at the HIV Center's offices. Conference rooms were dedicated to key supporters of the HIV Center who have passed away, including investigators Rafael Tavares, M.D. and Jacob Cohen, Ph.D., administrative staff member Joseph O'Reilly, and NYSPI Deputy Director of Administration Steve Papp. A fifth conference room had previously been dedicated to the memory of Charlie Armstrong, the former assistant to the HIV Center Director. (For more about those we've lost, click here.)

Drs. Ehrhardt and Stein review the HIV Center timeline.

In addition, the Open House featured an exhibition of images of global AIDS activism. These striking photographs include the New York City AIDSWalk and demonstrations on Capitol Hill and at the White House, as well as protests in Indonesia, South Africa, and India. At the same time, a permanent "parallel timeline" of the AIDS epidemic and the work of the HIV Center was unveiled. The photo exhibition and a large-scale version of the timeline may be viewed in the HIV Center offices on the third floor of the Rosenfield Building of the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health at 722 W. 168 St.. (Click here to view a smaller version of the timeline.)

Photo below: Bill Stackhouse, Ph.D. of GMHC, HIV Center  Investigator  Dr. Joyce Hunter, D.S.W., and HIV Center Associate Director Susan Tross, Ph.D.

The day concluded with an evening reception and dinner at the Faculty Club of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Additional remarks were offered by Robert Bank, J.D. and Bill Stackhouse, Ph.D. of Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), longtime activist Linda Lofreddo, M.A., Thomas Coates, Ph.D. of UCLA, and HIV Center investigators Patricia Warne, Ph.D., Susan Tross, Ph.D., Robert Klitzman, M.D. , Joyce Hunter, D.S.W., Bruce Levin, Ph.D., and Robert Kertzner, M.D..

Photos on this page by Eve Vagg and Mark Cap