In episode 64 of Going anti-Viral, we look back at the past year and beyond to share highlights from past episodes of the Going anti-Viral Podcast. In this selection of highlights, we share the remarkable outcomes of scientific research, hearing from researchers, clinicians, and survivors. These outcomes are the result of the tremendous work and innovation of our guests and the entire scientific research community and the investment of the American people in scientific research.

0:00 – Introduction

1:29 – Dr Judith Currier – Next-Gen HIV Prevention and Treatment

1:59 – Dr Anthony Fauci – A Conversation with Dr Anthony Fauci

2:33 – Dawn Averitt – A Personal Journey with HIV and Advocacy for HIV Research

3:18 – Rebecca Denison – 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must

3:44 – Dr Izukanji Sikazwe – Innovations in HIV Service Delivery: Building a Path Forward with Those Left Behind

4:19 – Dr Joseph Eron – HIV Cure Research: State of the Art and Navigating Presentations at CROI 2025

4:48 – Dr Diane Havlir – Preview of the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI)

5:22 – Dr Peter Hotez – The Measles Outbreak and the Role Anti-Science Plays in Threatening Public Health

5:58 – Dr Steven Grinspoon – The Management of Cardiovascular Health in Patients with HIV

6:18 – Dr Ellen Eaton – Treating Substance Use Disorder in an Inpatient Setting

6:41 – Dr Khalil Ghanem – Demystifying Syphilis: Diagnosis and Treatment

7:01 – Dr Carlos del Rio – Providing Healthcare to Foreign-Born and Hard-to-Reach Individuals

7:37 – Dr Yvonne Maldonado – How Vaccines Get Approved in the US: The RSV Story and the Role of the ACIP

8:00 – Dr Demetre Daskalakis – The CDC without Scientific Leadership

8:29 – Dr Rochelle Walensky – The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Current State of Public Health in the US

9:01 – Mary Fisher – Breaking the Silence: An Activist’s Approach

For full episodes, visit the Going anti-Viral Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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In episode 63 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Mari Kitahata joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the role of outcomes research on clinical decisions for patient care. Dr Kitahata is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington (UW) in the Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. For more than 3 decades, she has directed the UW/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Clinical Research Core. Dr Kitahata’s research focuses on improving long-term outcomes for people with HIV and she has led studies demonstrating key determinants of increased survival in people with HIV including early initiation of antiretroviral therapy and care managed by physicians with greater HIV experience. Dr Kitahata discusses the significance of outcomes research in clinical settings, particularly in the context of HIV care. She explains the differences between efficacy and effectiveness, the challenges faced in observational studies, and the importance of statistical techniques to address biases. Dr Kitahata and Dr Saag discuss the role of electronic medical records (EMRs) in enhancing data collection and the necessity of data validation through adjudication processes. Additionally, the conversation touches on the importance of patient-reported outcomes and the limitations of EMR data, including issues of misclassification. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Kitahata discuss the distinction between predictive modeling and etiologic modeling in research, underscoring the complexities of clinical care and the future directions for outcomes research.

0:00 – Introduction

2:30 – Efficacy versus effectiveness

5:51 – Challenges in outcomes research

8:27 – Statistical techniques in observational studies

16:13 – The role of electronic medical records

19:36 – Patient-reported outcomes and their importance

22:18 – Data validation and adjudication

28:30 – Limitations of observational data

35:08 – The future of outcomes research

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In episode 62 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Rochelle Walensky joins host Dr Michael Saag on World AIDS Day 2025 to discuss her experience as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the COVID-19 pandemic and the current state of public health in the United States. Dr Walensky is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and has published over 300 research articles that have motivated changes to US HIV testing and immigration policy and promoted expanded funding for HIV-related research, treatment, and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Dr Walensky reflects on her experience during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts where she was the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr Saag and Dr Walensky then discuss her transition to the Director of the CDC and her management of the agency during the pandemic. Dr Walensky and Dr Saag emphasize the dedication of public health professionals and the need for continued support and understanding of the challenges they face. They discuss the risk of proposed budget cuts to the CDC and the impacts this will have on the agency as well as state and local public health departments. Finally, they discuss the future of public health and their shared optimism for public health over the long-term.

0:00 – Introduction

1:41 – Management of the early outbreak of COVID-19 in Massachusetts and reflections on the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in March of 2020

11:50 – Transition to lead the CDC and reflections on the difficult job of management of the CDC during a pandemic

24:00 – Navigating COVID-19 variants and the challenge of public health recommendations for wearing masks and vaccination

28:24 – Outlook on the future of public health and the CDC and the risks of proposed budget cuts on state and local public health agencies

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In episode 61 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Yvonne Maldonado joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the evidence for vaccine safety and effectiveness. Dr Maldonado is a Professor in the Stanford University School of Medicine where she has achieved national and international recognition for her scholarship in the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases. She has served on several national and international committees including, until recently, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Dr Maldonado and Dr Saag provide an overview of how vaccines work and discuss where aluminum adjuvants are used in vaccines and address the validity of anti-vax claims about the use of aluminum in vaccines. Dr Maldonado emphasizes the crucial role of vaccination, particularly the measles vaccine, as a key indicator of public health and discusses the high infectiousness of measles and its implications for community safety, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals. Dr Saag and Dr Maldonado also discuss current recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine, its safety, and whether pregnant women and infants should receive the vaccine. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Maldonado discuss the work of public health in the future and the importance of communicating the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

0:00 – Introduction
1:46 – Overview of vaccines and how they work
5:07 – Different vaccine types and where an aluminum adjuvant is used
12:41 – Motivations behind vaccine opposition
16:20 – The business model of vaccine development
19:07 – The pros and cons of mandatory vaccinations
25:19 – Who should get vaccinated against COVID-19
30:46 – Should pregnant women and infants get vaccinated against COVID-19
35:02 – Will vaccine controversies continue in the future

Other Resources:
Episode 50 - How Vaccines Get Approved in the US: The RSV Story and the Role of the ACIP – Dr Yvonne Maldonado
Episode 51 - The Measles Outbreak and the Role Anti-Science Plays in Threatening Public Health – Dr Peter Hotez

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In episode 60 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Donald Abrams joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss medical cannabis. Dr Abrams is a professor emeritus at the University of California San Francisco and a specialist in integrative oncology at the Osher Center for Integrative Health. Dr Abrams has studied complementary and alternative therapies, including mind-body treatments, botanical therapies, medical use of cannabis and herbal therapies used in traditional Chinese medicine. He continues to research the health effects of medical cannabis. Dr Abrams was previously at the forefront in HIV/AIDS research and treatment at San Francisco General Hospital and served as chief of the medical oncology service from 2003 to 2017. Dr Saag and Dr Abrams discuss the history of medical cannabis and the challenges Dr Abrams experienced in researching its use for medical therapy. They discuss the medical benefits of cannabis and the recommendations that clinicians may make as well as addressing the differences in products available including THC and CBD. They also discuss research in whether use of cannabis in young adults is related to schizophrenia. Finally, Dr Saag and Dr Abrams discuss the future of medical cannabis and whether physicians should continue to provide a role in its use, whether the scheduling of cannabis as a controlled substance will change, and the type of research that is needed to continue to explore where its use is beneficial.

0:00 – Introduction

1:20 – Overview of the history of medical cannabis

4:10 – The fight for medical cannabis research and its use in people with AIDS

10:59 – Understanding the medical benefits of cannabis particularly for pain, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and depression

13:15 – How physicians navigate recommendations for the use of cannabis and the differences with the types of cannabis whether inhaled, digested, or tinctures

18:13 – CBD vs. THC: understanding the differences and other possible cannabinoid therapeutics

23:25 – The role of physicians in the future of medical cannabis, the need for more research, and the overall availability for people who want it

25:57 – Overview of research if there a relationship between the use of cannabis and schizophrenia in young adults

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In episode 59 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Demetre Daskalakis joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss his career in public health and the turnover in leadership at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr Daskalakis is an infectious diseases physician who served in leadership roles at the CDC from 2020 to 2025. He was director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and was previously director of the Division of HIV Prevention at the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. In 2022, he was appointed deputy coordinator of the White House response to the mpox outbreak. Dr Daskalakis discusses his career in public health and leadership roles in infectious diseases. Dr Saag and Dr Daskalakis have a detailed discussion about applying lessons learned from the HIV epidemic in the national response to the mpox outbreak and they discuss Dr Daskalakis’s role at the CDC in response to the current measles outbreak. They also address ideologic-driven changes at the CDC under the direction of Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services including the firing of Dr Susan Monarez and Dr Daskalakis’ subsequent resignation. Finally, they discuss the current direction of the CDC and the outlook for public health without scientific leadership. They also discuss the possibility of a renaissance for public health in the future where it can be reimagined to focus on people instead of historic funding paradigms.

0:00 – Introduction

1:21 – Career path in public health and leadership in infectious diseases

4:01 – Applying lessons from the HIV epidemic in response to the mpox outbreak

9:48 – Transition to CDC and challenges with the new administration

13:50 – CDC role in response to the current measles outbreak

17:45 – Management of the CDC by Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services

21:22 – The firing of Dr Susan Monarez from the CDC and Dr Daskalakis’s resignation

28:35 – The lack of scientific leadership remaining at CDC and future outlook

Resources

Episode 50 - How Vaccines Get Approved in the US: The RSV Story and the Role of the ACIP – Dr Yvonne Maldonado

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In episode 58 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Khalil Ghanem joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss current challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis. Dr Ghanem is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr Ghanem’s research focuses on reproductive tract infections in particular syphilis and the vaginal microbiome. He was a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the development of the 2010 and 2015 Adult Syphilis Treatment Guidelines. Dr Ghanem discusses the history and current trends of syphilis, including the impact of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) on infection rates. Dr Saag and Dr Ghanem also address screening and testing for syphilis and the current issues faced in diagnosis and treatment including the management of penicillin G benzathine shortages. Finally, Dr Ghanem looks ahead to new research to address syphilis management, emphasizing the need for better diagnostics and treatment options, especially during pregnancy.

0:00 – Introduction

1:24 – Trends in the rates of syphilis, including recent updates on latest data

4:24 – The role of DoxyPep in syphilis management

7:18 – Screening and testing for syphilis with new recommendations for screening during pregnancy

14:45 – Challenges in diagnosis and treatment and impact of new research

22:54 – Recommendations for management of penicillin G benzathine shortages

26:39 – Future research in addressing challenges to management of syphilis

Resources:

Going anti-Viral – Episode 9: Apple Podcasts

Understanding The Implementation of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) and Addressing Sexually Transmitted Infections with Dr Annie Luetkemeyer

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In episode 57 of Going anti-Viral, Dawn Averitt joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss HIV advocacy and the importance of scientific research. Ms Averitt is a social justice advocate and founder of organizations focused on women with HIV and AIDS such as the Well Project and the Women’s Information Service and Exchange. Ms Averitt has served on several scientific and advisory committees, including 2 terms on the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and has been responsible for key achievements in guiding FDA labeling decisions and shaping research and policy priorities at the NIH. Ms Averitt discusses being diagnosed with HIV at age 19 in 1988 and her experience with early treatment. She shares how this experience led her to the AIDS Survival Project and the Atlanta Buyers Project where she was an advocate for access to HIV care and treatment. Dr Saag and Ms Averitt discuss the current focus of HIV activism at a time when scientific research is threatened and the importance of today’s HIV advocates to be a voice for research to the public at large.

0:00 – Introduction

1:17 – Ms Averitt’s personal journey with HIV

3:01 – How her treatment experience led to advocacy

8:36 – Her role with the AIDS Survival Project and the Atlanta Buyers Club

17:12 – Current focus of HIV activism

25:44 – How to persuade the public to support HIV and scientific research

Resources:

The Well Project: https://www.thewellproject.org/

The Women's Research Initiative on HIV/AIDS (WRI): https://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/wri-2025-evolving-landscape-women-and-hiv-cure

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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...