Engaging the public and school children about HIV

Posted on 3 July 2012

Two talks by CII researchers bring the Centre's expertise on HIV to a wider audience

HIV virus particles in amongst red and white blood cells. Image: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH

Dr Fabiola Martin, a senior researcher and practising consultant in HIV medicine, gave a talk to a group of 875 eleven year olds at the invitation of Skelton Community Primary School on 13 June 2012. The talk which provided an informative and accessible introduction to HIV/Aids was well-received by pupils and teachers alike.

Her colleague Dr James Fox delivered a Department of Biology Open Lecture at the University on the evening of Friday 15 June 2012. The lecture formed part of the York Solutions HIV awareness campaign sponsored by Santander and organised by final year York Biology student Shaan Bassi. Dr Fox spoke engagingly about the nature of the HIV infection, how it is thought to have originated, how it is passed on and how it establishes itself in the human body. He also considered the range of current therapies and explored some potential future solutions to combat what remains, particularly in the developing world, a very serious public health issue.