L-R: Prof Lufuno Makhado , Full Professor in the Department of Public Health, Faculty of health Sciences at the University of Venda with Prof J. Craig Philips, Co-Chair of the International Nurs-ing Network for HIV Research, Professor and Vice Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa and a founding member of the uOttawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics.
The University community proudly notes Prof Lufuno Makhado’s participation in the Interna-tional Nursing Network for HIV Research meeting, hosted by the School of Nursing at the Uni-versity of North Carolina Wilmington from 8 – 9 January 2026. The meeting brought together leading nurse scientists, clinicians, and educators from across the globe to advance collabora-tive research and policy discussions in HIV nursing science.
Held over two days at UNCW’s McNeill Hall, the meeting focused on strengthening internation-al research partnerships, reviewing progress on multi-site studies, and setting strategic priori-ties for future global HIV/AIDS nursing research initiatives.
Prof Makhado has been a member of the International Nursing Network for HIV Research since 2019, having been recruited by Prof J. Craig Philips, in recognition of his longstanding contribu-tion to HIV nursing and his membership in the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) since 2012. His continued involvement reflects the University’s growing visibility and impact within influential international research platforms.
Established in 1996, the International Nursing Network for HIV Research was formed to address the need for contextually relevant, evidence-based information to support HIV clinical care. The Network’s core activity is the development and implementation of large-scale, international,
multi-site collaborative research studies, complemented by semi-annual meetings and a biennial international nursing science conference. Its flexible structure has been instrumental in enabling cross-national collaboration while accommodating diverse research con-texts.
On the left: Prof Patricia L. Suplee, Director of the UNCW School of Nursing and Irwin Belk Distinguished Professor.
On the right: Prof Allison R. Webel, Co-chair of the International Nursing Network for HIV Research, Editor in Chief, Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (JANAC) and an Asso-ciate Dean for Research and Innovation, University of Washington
The meeting was officially opened by Prof Patricia L. Suplee, Director of the UNCW School of Nursing and Irwin Belk Distinguished Professor, alongside Prof Paula Reid, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at UNCW. Network leadership was represented by Prof J. Craig Phillips (University of Ottawa) and Prof Allison R. Webel (University of Washington), who serve as Co-Chairs of the Network and guided deliberations across both days.
Dr Shey Thorn, Executive Director of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC)
A notable highlight was the formal welcome of Dr Shey Thorn, Executive Director of ANAC, who assumed his leadership role in November 2025. His presence reinforced ANAC’s continued support for the Network and its global HIV nursing research agenda.
Substantive progress was reported across several flagship Network studies. Of particular significance was the update on Study VIII, which focused on the impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV, presented by Dr Yvette P. Cuca (University of California, San Francisco). To date, six peer-reviewed manuscripts have been published, with seven additional papers currently under review. Prof Makhado is an active co-author on several of these manuscripts and those published, playing a key role in strengthening scholarly outputs while ensuring the University of Venda’s visibility within this high-impact international research collaboration.
Discussions also addressed future dissemination strategies, including preparations for the International AIDS Society (IAS) 2026 conference and potential joint workshops or symposia in collaboration with ANAC.
A major strategic focus of the meeting was Study IX, titled “Factors Associated with Health Equity among People with HIV, Nurses, and Other Health and Social Care Practitioners.” Led by Prof J. Craig Phillips and Prof Darcel M. Reyes, the study encompasses multiple phases, includ-ing a Delphi study, a scoping review, and the planning of a multi-site international survey.
The Network also reviewed its Publications Policy, explored governance mechanisms, and examined opportunities to strengthen transparency and collaboration through Open Science frameworks. These discussions underscored the Network’s commitment to methodological rigour, ethical collaboration, and equitable authorship across international partners.
Prof Darcel M. Reyes, President of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC), a Professor at Lehman College, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA, with Prof Lufuno Makhado
An important highlight of the programme was a public HIV update presentation delivered by Prof Darcel M. Reyes, President of ANAC. Her address provided an in-depth overview of current global HIV epidemiology and emerging advances in prevention and treatment, including long-acting antiretroviral therapies, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) framework. Prof Reyes also examined persistent disparities driven by structural and social determinants of health, emphasising the pivotal role of nurses, educators, and community partnerships in advancing equitable, person-centred HIV care worldwide. Her presentation resonated strongly with both Network members and the wider UNCW community.
The International Nursing Network for HIV Research continues to demonstrate a truly global footprint, with investigators based in Botswana, Canada, China, Colombia, Kenya, Namibia, Norway, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, Peru, and Puerto Rico. Through this Network, Prof Makhado’s participation ensures that African and Global South perspectives remain central to international HIV nursing research and policy dialogue.
Prof Makhado poses for a group photo with some of the attendees
As the meeting concluded, attention turned to future directions, including a potential Summer 2026 Network meeting, continued collaboration around IAS 2026, and expanded opportunities for mentoring and training emerging nurse scientists. Prof Makhado’s engagement reinforces the University’s commitment to global research excellence, impactful scholarship, and leader-ship in addressing one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.
Prof Lufuno Makhado, Dr Yvette Cuca (University of California, San Francisco), Prof Darcel M. Reyes (City University of New York), Prof Paula Reid (University of North Carolina, Wilmington), Prof Allison Webel (University of Washington), Prof J. Craig Philips (University of Ottawa, Canada), Prof Jeanne Kemppainen (UNCW-Retiree), Prof Carol Dowson Rose (UCSF).
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