Dr. Yan Wang from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has been selected as a Visiting Professor Program class of 2024, at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). During her time in the summer program activities, she developed a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant proposal focused on the oral microbiome and biomarkers in elderly individuals living with HIV. The project aims to explore how changes in the oral microbiome could serve as indicators for health outcomes in older adults with HIV. Dr. Wang completed the draft of her grant proposal with guidance from her mentors—Dr. Monica Gandhi, Dr. Peter Hunt, and Dr. Sheri Weiner— experts in HIV research at UCSF, who provided critical feedback and support throughout the process.
In addition to working on her research proposal, Dr. Wang connected with other early-stage investigators participating in the program. These interactions provided her with the opportunity to discuss shared research interests and current challenges in HIV research. While her primary focus was on completing her grant proposal, networking with her peers allowed her to explore potential future collaborations and stay informed on developments in the field.