Dr. Cecilia Shikuma and Dr. Louie Mar Gangcuangco recently visited the Philippines in November 2018 as invited speakers of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) and the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT).

Dr. Shikuma’s plenary lecture at the 40th PSMID annual convention held last November 28, 2018 was entitled, “Clinical implications of HIV pathogenesis in treated and untreated populations.” Dr. Shikuma also met with Dr. Charlotte M. Chiong, Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM), to discuss expanding research collaborations between the Hawaii Center for AIDS and UPCM.

Dr. Gangcuangco delivered a lecture on HIV pathogenesis and chronic complications of HIV at the MSU-IIT in November 29, 2018. The invitation was extended by Prof. Clowe Jondonero, Dean of the MSU-IIT College of Nursing. The lecture was attended by more than 200 nursing students, faculty members, and Dr. Franco Teves, Vice Chancellor for Research of MSU-IIT. Other guests include fellow Balik (returning) Scientists of the Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Arnie Alguno and Prof. Arnold Lubguban.

The Philippines is experiencing the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the western Pacific region, registering more than 1,000 new HIV cases per month. Research collaborations on HIV pathogenesis and prevention are warranted to help curb the epidemic.