Kirby Institute hosts inaugural research symposium

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Kirby Institute hosts inaugural research symposium

(27 June, 2013) - A group of more than 350 academics, researchers, clinical professionals, policy makers and community partners working in the field of infectious diseases, blood-borne viruses and related infections came together on Thursday, June 27 at the University of New South Wales for the inaugural Kirby Institute Research Symposium. The theme of this year’s symposium was “Treatment as prevention: where to from here?”

The symposium was officially opened by the Hon. Jillian Skinner, NSW Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research, and showcased the work of academics from the Kirby Institute, as well as invited international and national guests, presenting on a range of work related to treatment as prevention themes.

The keynote address was given by Associate Professor Till Bärnighausen from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Professor David Cooper, Director of the Kirby Institute, said the symposium is an important step toward addressing the needs and challenges facing the field. “When we bring together like-minded individuals who are working toward shared goals, we make strides toward finding new ways to accomplish our ultimate aim of reducing the burden of the HIV epidemic, blood-borne viruses, other sexually transmissible infections and related illnesses for the affected communities,” said Professor Cooper.

Following the success of the inaugural event, plans are underway for the 2014 Symposium, which will be held during the week leading up to the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014), planned from 20-25 July 2014 in Melbourne. Information on the 2014 Kirby Institute Symposium will be available from March 2014 at www.kirby.unsw.edu.au.