The University of Washington/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is pleased to announce the winner of 2024 Stephaun Elite Wallace Community Investigator Award competition. The purpose of the Wallace Awards is to grow capacity for community-led HIV research. The Wallace Awards are also intended to facilitate community-based organization (CBO)-CFAR member connections and collaborations. Recipients are awarded $5,000-$20,000/year (direct costs) for up to 2 years to conduct their project.
This award honors the founding Director of the UW/Fred Hutch CFAR Office of Community Engagement (OCE), Dr. Stephaun Elite Wallace, a scientist, leader in the Ballroom community, and champion of community-led research.
“As someone who worked directly with Dr. Stephaun Wallace, I recognize his spirit in this initiative,” said Louis Shackelford, MPH, the current Director of the OCE. “He believed in the boundless possibilities of the communities we serve, as do I. The Wallace Awards are a direct investment in the talents, creativity, and brilliance of community.”
Congratulations to our 2024 CFAR Wallace Award recipient, Christopher Archiopoli.
Christopher Archiopoli, BS, MBA
LEAD Project Manager, Purpose. Dignity. Action. (PDA)
Project Title: Identifying Non-Traditional Marketing Channels and Strategies to Reach People Unhoused or Unstably Housed Living with HIV/AIDS
Mentor: Dr. Joanne Stekler
Christopher has training in marketing, peer counseling, and substance use recovery. They currently work at PDA as a Project Manager for Seattle-King County LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion), supporting the work of long-term case management for people historically affected by the criminal legal system. Christopher’s passion lies in advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS as well as those experiencing substance use disorder. They are involved in a variety of community projects focused on recovery and homelessness.
People living with HIV (PLWH) who are unhoused or unstably housed infrequently engage with traditional communication channels and healthcare services due to their lived and living experience. The goal of Christopher’s Wallace Award project is to explore how to improve connectedness and build community for PLWH who are unhoused or unstably housed and develop a clear strategy for how to reach this population.
As Principal Investigator, Christopher plans to hold up to 40 qualitative, individual interviews with PLWH who are unhoused or unstably housed in King County. The project will collaborate with a range of community-based organization for participant recruitment. The goal of these interviews will be to explore perceived and experienced barriers to accessing HIV-specific housing, behavioral health, medical and/or other social services. This project aims to identify which types of marketing methods would be most effective in reaching these populations. Findings from qualitative interviews will inform development of an actionable marketing strategy that can be used to improve future engagement for this population.
“Christopher’s project will provide critical insights about how to better serve some of the most underserved members of our King County community. We are thrilled to fund this important work and learn from its findings,” said Keshet Ronen, PhD MPH, of the CFAR Developmental Core.
As a recipient of a Wallace Award, Christopher will be offered prioritized consideration for CFAR training opportunities. They will also gain access to UW/Fred Hutch CFAR resources, including the UW library system, public health-focused workshops/webinars, and select courses taught by CFAR researchers while completing their projects.
To learn more about the CFAR Wallace Awards, contact us at cfaroce@uw.edu.