Research

The Research Department at Whitman-Walker conducts cutting-edge scientific research on HIV/STD treatment and prevention.  We strive to improve the lives of People with HIV and to promote the health and well-being of diverse urban communities.  Through partnerships with academic institutions, local and federal governments and a broad network of key stakeholders, we evaluate methods for curbing the spread of HIV and STDs, study the latest developments in Antiretroviral Therapy and help translate scientific findings to community practice.  

Primary goals for research at WWH:

• Use scientific methods to test and develop effective forms of   HIV/STD prevention, detection and treatment programs
• Build on our expertise in the area of LGBT health care to contribute to larger efforts in making affirming care accessible to every LGBT community
• Establish the value and advantages of integrating sound research and primary care in community settings
  
• Recognize that medical,  psychosocial, and structural interventions are key in achieving a healthy populations
• Evaluate novel programs and treatments that help us better respond to ever-changing problems in our community

The Research department is located in the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, at 1701 14^th St., NW. For more information, call 202.745.6172.

New Treatments for Hepatitis C
WWH is starting several studies that evaluate cutting edge treatments for Hepatitis C.  Our current projects study once-daily treatments and treatments that are effective without the use of Peg-Interferon.  These studies will help create simplified regimens for people with Hepatitis C.   

Once-Daily Regimens for HIV Treatment
Working with pharmaceutical companies to test new treatments gives our clients access to the latest medications and easiest to take regimens in development.  We currently have novel, once-daily regimens available for patients who have never taken HIV medications.

Papers

Below are some academic papers that have been based on research conducted by Whitman-Walker.

Palella, F. J., Gange, S. J., Benning, L., Jacobson, L., Kaplan, R. C., Landay, A. L., et al. (2010). Inflammatory biomarkers and abacavir use in the women's interagency HIV study and the multicenter AIDS cohort study. AIDS, 24(11), 1657-1665.

Ross, L. L., Rouse, E., Gerondelis, P., DeJesus, E., Cohen, C., Horton, J., et al. (2010). Low-abundance HIV species and their impact on mutational profiles in patients with virological failure on once-daily abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine and tenofovir. The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 65(2), 307-315.

Baker, J., Plankey, M., Josayma, Y., Elion, R., Chiliade, P., Shahkolahi, A., et al. (2009). The prevalence of rectal, urethral, and pharyngeal neisseria gonorrheae and chlamydia trachomatis among asymptomatic men who have sex with men in a prospective cohort in washington, D.C. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 23(8), 585-588.

Ross, L., Elion, R., Lanier, R., Dejesus, E., Cohen, C., Redfield, R. R., et al. (2009). Modulation of K65R selection by zidovudine inclusion: Analysis of HIV resistance selection in subjects with virologic failure receiving once-daily abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine and tenofovir DF (study COL40263). AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 25(7), 665-672.