2026 BHPS Program Planning Committee
The Program Planning Committee for the 2026 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit provides collective expertise for the development of an innovative, equity-centered conference agenda that brings together community, science, and practice.
Composed of clinicians, researchers, public health professionals, and community leaders, the Committee ensures the Summit reflects scientific excellence, clinical relevance, and meaningful community engagement.
Guided by NMAC’s mission and a syndemic approach to HIV prevention, the Program Planning Committee shapes NMAC’s plenary sessions, tracks, and educational content that strengthen the biomedical HIV prevention workforce and advance equitable health outcomes for communities of color.
As part of this effort, NMAC is working with its 2026 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit’s Program Planning Committee (see below) to curate and develop sessions for BHPS. If you have ideas for abstracts for workshops, please email BHPS@nmac.org Ideas submitted will be shared with the Planning Committee for consideration.
Join NMAC’s 10th Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit (BHPS) in Chicago, IL, April 8-10, 2026.
Program Committee Overview
Purpose: The Program Committee (PC) will guide the design and execution of the 2026 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit (BHPS), ensuring scientific rigor, clinical relevance, and meaningful community participation. The committee will curate the plenary program (1), and conference sessions and presentations, and provide strategic guidance to align the Summit with NMAC’s mission of advancing equitable health outcomes for communities of color affected by HIV.
Meet the Program Planning Committee
Committee Chair: Dr. Leandro A. Mena, MD, MPH, FIDSA and Chief Medical Officer, NMAC
Dr. Leandro A. Mena is a nationally recognized clinician-researcher and public health advocate with expertise in the prevention and clinical management of sexually transmitted infections and HIV. As NMAC’s first Chief Medical Officer and Chair of the Program Committee, Dr. Mena drives the vision and direction to advance an agenda rooted in health equity and racial justice. Under his guidance, the 2026 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit is being reimagined to establish a national platform where community, science, and practice meet to drive innovative solutions aimed at eliminating inequities in HIV prevention and care among communities of color.
Alison Footman, PhD
Anirudda Hazra, MD
Barbara Van Der Pol, PhD
CAPT. Mary Glenshaw, PhD, MPH
Chase Cannon, MD
Dr. Elijah Nicholas
Gabriel Maldonado, MBA
Jonathan Colassanti, MD
June Gipson, PhD
Kenneth Mayer MD
LaRon E. Nelson, PhD
Leisha Mckinnley Beach
Natalie Sanchez, MPH
Prescott Chow
Rick Haverkate, MPH
Travis Gayles, MD
Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD
José M. Zuniga, PhD, MPH
2026 Tracks and NMAC Leads
Track 1: Systems Thinking & A Syndemic Response
Melissa Rodrigo
Moisés Agosto-Rosario, MPH
Track 2: Technology, Data & Innovation
Track 3: Health Outcome Determinants
Damián Cabrera
Audrianna (Dri) Marzette, M.S.
Track 4: Health Equity & Policy Education
Destiny Pearson
Track 5: Health Communication & Simulation Labs
Contact
For information, updates, and questions about NMAC’s 2026 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit, please email Conferences@NMAC.org
