PrEP to help reach zero new HIV infections
The role of PrEP in Getting to Zero
This project uses computer simulations to find ways to expand PrEP so people at risk of HIV—especially in Black and other high-risk communities—can avoid infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11075220 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, researchers will use a detailed computer model of U.S. HIV epidemics to test different ways to deliver PrEP. The model simulates HIV testing, transmission, treatment, and prevention and is calibrated to real-world data. The team will compare variations in PrEP coverage, adherence, and delivery as part of combination prevention programs across diverse communities. This work does not enroll patients directly but uses surveillance and clinical data to guide practical program strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who could benefit from PrEP—such as sexually active individuals with ongoing HIV exposure risk, including many in Black communities and men who have sex with men—are the focus of the modeled strategies.
Not a fit: People already living with HIV or those at negligible risk of exposure would not directly benefit from PrEP-focused prevention modeling.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide programs that increase PrEP access and uptake and reduce new HIV infections in high-risk communities.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical trials have shown PrEP prevents HIV when taken as directed, and prior modeling and implementation work has informed PrEP programs though real-world uptake remains uneven in the U.S.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Escudero, Daniel — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Escudero, Daniel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.