Record number of abstracts received for INTEREST 2019

The annual INTEREST Conference is already making history – and it’s still months away. A record 613 abstracts were submitted through the open call, a 60% increase from last year.

The HIV-focused conference takes place May 14-17 and for the first time, Ghana is the host country. Last year, 381 abstracts were submitted by researchers around the world.

“Over the years, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of abstracts submitted. This speaks to the important platform INTEREST provides to the HIV research and scientific community, and particularly to young researchers who often present their work here for the first time,” said prof. Cate Hankins, Scientific Chair for the conference and AIGHD Academic Staff.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Emeritus group and the local and international conference committees to ensure INTEREST 2019 is our most successful, informative and impactful yet.”

Held in a different African country each year and known as the ‘African CROI’, INTEREST brings together scientists involved in HIV treatment, pathogenesis, and prevention research from around the world. The conference provides a platform to share pivotal findings, promote collaboration, and transfer experiences across several fields and continents including Africa, Europe, and North America.

It also provides a unique opportunity for young researchers to present their work at an international conference, attend mentoring sessions with senior scientists, and network with their peers. For attendees, the impact is far-reaching.

“I attended because I’m very curious about research that’s going on with non-communicable diseases and HIV,” said Rachel Musomba, research capacity building coordinator from Uganda and first-time attendee at last year’s conference. “I have an abstract in that area and I was able to learn from other people that are doing research in that area.”

“This workshop gives us an opportunity to stand with many scientists, professionals, and different students from all over the world,” added a pharmacy student, who also attended the INTEREST Conference for the first time in 2018.

Abstract submission closed February 1. Members of the Conference Committees have been carefully reviewing all submissions. Notifications will be sent the first week of March.

Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development co-organizes the event with Virology Education. This year’s INTEREST Conference will be held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City – Accra.

For more information and to register, visit INTERESTconference.org