This episode of HIV unmuted introduces a new host and format for the award-winning IAS podcast. Our host, Juan Michael Porter II, the Senior Editor for TheBody/TheBodyPro, takes a deep dive with a single guest in an intimate conversation that gives the listener a glimpse of the guest – who they are and how they got into this work – and an understanding of their topic of expertise.

This new format opens with Sharon Lewin, the IAS President and AIDS 2024 International Co-Chair, walking us through the latest HIV science released at AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference, and what it means for the HIV response. This episode delves into a broad range of exciting science, from long-acting injectables to new research on doxycycline prophylaxis to advances in cure research, including inspiration from the “next Berlin Patient”.

Through the lens of her personal story, Sharon walks us through the context and challenges of the HIV response, such as changing global health priorities and reduced funding for HIV. Astounding progress has been made in the HIV response. Yet, we are still missing critical targets. Sharon makes it clear that if we are to envision the end of the HIV pandemic, we must address persisting inequalities that remain in the HIV response: we must put people first.

Meet our guest

Sharon Lewin
The IAS President and AIDS 2024 International Co-Chair, Sharon Lewin, is an infectious diseases physician and basic scientist and has worked in HIV-related clinical medicine and research for over 25 years. She is Director of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, a joint venture of the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. The Doherty Institute has over 850 staff working on infection and immunity through research, education and public health, and has a significant focus on virology, including HIV. She is an active clinician, working at the Alfred Hospital and Royal Melbourne Hospital, and a Melbourne Laureate Professor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne.

Meet our host

Juan Michael Porter II
Juan Michael Porter II is a health journalist, HIV advocate, culture critic, educator and the host of HIV unmuted, the IAS podcast. He is the Senior Editor of TheBody.com and TheBodyPro – and the first person openly living with HIV to hold the position. Juan Michael's reportage combines data dives, personal narratives and policy analyses to address the real-world consequences of ever-shifting legislation on people's health outcomes. He has written for the Public Broadcasting Service, SF Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer, Christian Science Monitor, NY Observer, TDF Stages, Playbill, American Theatre, Time Out NY, Queerty, Anti-Racism Daily, Positively Aware, Documentary Magazine, SYFY Wire, Scholastic and Dance Magazine.