In the final episode of Microbe Matters Season 3, we sit down with Urvi Parikh, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, to explore the evolving landscape of HIV prevention. Together, they discuss how PrEP is transforming prevention strategies, the challenges of ensuring equitable access to care both in the U.S. and globally, and the latest innovations on the horizon, including long-acting injectables and multipurpose prevention technologies.

Dr. Parikh shares her innovative research on drug resistance and the future of prevention, shedding light on how science, policy, and advocacy intersect to tackle one of the world’s most pressing health challenges. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of ensuring that life-saving innovations reach those who need them most.

How does HIV evolve, and what role does gut health play in its progression? In this episode of Microbe Matters, we sit down with Dr. Cristian Apetrei to unravel some of the biggest questions in HIV research. From tracing the virus’s origins through molecular clocks to studying non-human primates for breakthrough discoveries, Dr. Apetrei shares how decades of research have reshaped our understanding of HIV pathogenesis.

We’ll explore the unexpected connection between gut health and chronic inflammation in people living with HIV, the ethical dilemmas of animal research, and the development of SHIV models that are bridging the gap between laboratory studies and human treatments. Plus, find out what a Barnes & Noble cookbook section and a McDonald's diet taught researchers about immune function.

This episode of Microbe Matters commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Pitt Men’s Study, one of the longest-running HIV research initiatives in the world. Hosted in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh, this groundbreaking study has played a critical role in understanding HIV transmission, prevention, and care since the early 1980s.

Featuring:

Dr. Charles Rinaldo, the founding investigator, who reflects on the study’s origins during the height of the HIV epidemic and its transformative contributions to science and public health.

Nathaniel Soltesz, clinic coordinator, who shares how the study remains at the forefront of participant-centered research and community engagement.

Jeffrey, a long-term study participant, who offers a deeply personal account of his experiences and what the study has meant to him over the years.

Join us as we explore the past, present, and future of the Pitt Men’s Study, highlighting its role in advancing knowledge, building community, and fostering hope in the fight against HIV.