Scientific Program
SESSION AND PRESENTATION TYPES
The scientific program consists of different types of sessions and presentations. Descriptions can be found below.
BERNARD FIELDS LECTURE
The Bernard Fields Lecture is presented annually at the Opening Session of the conference. The Fields Lecturer is generally a basic scientist who has made important and timely contributions to virology and/or viral pathogenesis as exemplified by the career of Bernard Fields. Fields Lectures are available (via Webcast, Podcast, and PowerPoint files) on the CROI website.
N'GALY-MANN LECTURE
The N’Galy-Mann Lecture is presented annually at the Opening Session of the conference. The N’Galy-Mann Lectureship was established to recognize an AIDS researcher who has made important and timely contributions in epidemiology and/or clinical research as exemplified by the collaborative careers of Bosenge N’Galy and Jonathan Mann. N’Galy-Mann Lectures are available (via Webcast, Podcast, and PowerPoint files) on the CROI website.
KEYNOTE LECTURE
There may be a Keynote Lecture scheduled in addition to the Opening Session. The Keynote Lecturer is generally a well-known figure who can provide broad ranging insights into key issues relevant to the control of the global AIDS epidemic. Keynote Lectures are available (via Webcast, Podcast, and PowerPoint files) on the CROI website.
PLENARIES
The plenaries are state-of-the-art presentations and reviews by leading authorities addressing topics of critical importance in the field of HIV science. Thirty minutes are allocated for each plenary lecture, and there will be 6 plenaries scheduled over 3 days (8:30-9 am and 9-9:30 am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). No concurrent sessions run parallel to the plenaries. Generally, a clinical plenary is followed by a basic science plenary for balance. Plenary Lectures are available (via Webcast, Podcast, and PowerPoint files) on the CROI website.
SYMPOSIA
Symposia consist of 2 conveners and 3 or 4 faculty who present talks on designated topics. Two hours are allocated for symposia (3 concurrents scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4-6 pm). Each speaker is allocated 20-23 minutes for presentation and 7-10 minutes for Q&A. Symposia are available (via Webcast, Podcast, and PowerPoint files) on the CROI website.
SCIENTIFIC OVERVIEWS
A Scientific Overview is a 25-minute lecture followed by 5 minutes of Q&A intended to give an overview of the field (which would cover the speaker’s recent and cutting edge work as well as that of other investigators, as appropriate). A scientific overview is scheduled at the beginning or end of a thematically related oral abstract session.
ORAL ABSTRACTS
Traditionally one of the most popular formats, oral abstract sessions are composed of speakers presenting peer-reviewed research. Oral presentations of selected abstracts dealing with a specific topic will be moderated by experts in the field. Typically, oral abstract sessions last for 2 hours, and are divided into 15-minute time blocks (10 minutes for individual presentation immediately followed by 5 minutes of Q&A). Oral abstract sessions are scheduled in the mid-morning (10 am-12 noon) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and run concurrently (4 concurrents organized thematically to minimize overlap and conflict among sessions). Additional oral abstract sessions may be scheduled during the symposia time slot (4-6 pm) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Depending upon the topic, a scientific overview may be incorporated into some of the oral abstract sessions. Alternatively, one of the moderators may provide a brief translational summary at the end of the session. A co-moderator will facilitate questions from the audience. Oral Abstract Sessions are available (via Webcast, Podcast, and PowerPoint files) on the CROI website.
POSTER ABSTRACTS
The bulk of the conference content is presented via poster, and the poster hall is one of the primary meeting points for scientists to interact and discuss their work. Access to the poster area will remain open each day from at least 7 am to 7 pm to facilitate interaction between attendees and presenters. The full complement of posters will be available for viewing all 3 full days of the conference. Poster presenters will be designated to stand at their respective boards on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, 2-4 pm. Posters will be grouped by topic.
THEMED DISCUSSIONS
Selected posters will be organized into 1-hour Themed Discussions (6 concurrents scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 1-2 pm). Topics will be selected after abstracts have been reviewed by the Scientific Program Committee in late October/early November. A maximum of 4-5 posters will be highlighted. The discussion will center around the 4-5 posters to be presented on this topic, highlighting the contents of the posters and discussing points of agreement and controversy and related work in the field. To kick off the session, one of the two discussants will give a 5-minute state-of-the-art introduction quickly summarizing the current status of the field. Next, each presenter will provide a brief overview of his/her poster (summarizing key results, conclusions, and discussion points in 2 minutes using 2 slides). The discussants will then engage the audience and the presenters in a discussion that synthesizes the information, covers points of agreement and controversy, and references related work in the field. To conclude the session, the second discussant will be asked to give a 5-minute wrap-up outlining any “take home” messages from the posters presented and future research questions. Themed Discussions are available (via Webcast, Podcast, and PowerPoint files) on the CROI website.
LATE BREAKERS
Information of critical importance will be considered for late breaker presentations. Accepted abstracts will be scheduled in pre-existing oral abstract sessions (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday depending upon topic and available time slots).