Prof Hendrik Streeck Takes the Helm as Local Scientific Chair of IAS 2021 Conference on HIV Science in Berlin

The International AIDS Society (IAS) has unveiled Professor Hendrik Streeck as the esteemed Local Scientific Chair for the upcoming 11th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2021). Scheduled to be held in Berlin from July 18 to 21, 2021, the conference aims to address the pressing challenges posed by HIV and foster collaboration on pioneering prevention, treatment, and cure strategies.

Professor Streeck, renowned for his role as the Director of the Institute for HIV Research at the University Hospital, Medical Faculty University Duisburg-Essen, in Essen, has been appointed to spearhead the scientific endeavors of IAS 2021. Alongside him, Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, the President-Elect of IAS, will serve as the International Scientific Chair.

Reflecting on the significance of the event being hosted in Berlin, Professor Streeck remarked, “As Berlin was once divided, HIV continues to divide societies, leaving many patients behind. In Berlin, we want to change this narrative once and for all.” He emphasized the collaborative efforts aimed at developing novel prevention and cure strategies for HIV, as well as exploring the latest treatment options.

Expressing his honor at co-chairing IAS 2021 with Dr Kamarulzaman, Professor Streeck highlighted the importance of this opportunity to assess the progress made in identifying, treating, and caring for individuals living with HIV across Europe.

With an illustrious background in HIV research, Professor Streeck formerly served as the Chief of the Cellular Immunology Section of the U.S. Military HIV Research Program and as an adjunct Assistant Professor in Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Additionally, he holds membership in the IAS.

In his extensive career, Professor Streeck has undertaken various notable endeavors, including leading the largest systematic study focused on the feasibility of conducting a Phase 3 HIV vaccine trial in Europe. Furthermore, he has been investigating the epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), resulting in the establishment of the European HIV & STI prevention network in January 2019.

Having completed his medical training in Berlin in 2006 and obtaining his PhD from Friedrich-Wilhelm University in Bonn in 2007, Professor Streeck embarked on a postdoctoral fellowship at the Partners AIDS Research Center. Subsequently, he served as an Assistant Professor at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, as well as an assistant immunologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

While Berlin previously hosted the 9th International AIDS Conference in 1993, it will be the first time the city welcomes the IAS Conference on HIV Science, cementing its status as a prominent hub for HIV research and scientific collaboration.

Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, the International Scientific Chair of IAS 2021, praised Professor Streeck’s exceptional expertise and acclaimed contributions to the field. “As a multiple award-winning clinician-scientist, Professor Streeck will bring a fresh perspective and deep expertise as the IAS 2021 Local Scientific Chair,” she stated. Dr Kamarulzaman expressed her honor to collaborate with him in developing a diverse and robust scientific program for the conference.

The appointment of Professor Hendrik Streeck as the Local Scientific Chair of IAS 2021 brings forth great anticipation for groundbreaking advancements and fruitful discussions on combatting HIV at the upcoming conference in Berlin.