March 27, 2020
Update on the 29th Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research (CAHR 2020)
In early March, the CAHR Board of Directors announced its decision to cancel the on-site portion of the 29th Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research (CAHR 2020) and proceed instead with an online version of the meeting.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly, so too has CAHR’s planned approach given that our membership is now unable to go the universities/research institutes/community-based organizations in which they work, or are overwhelmed with treating the ill in hospital and clinic settings. Accordingly, we are moving forward with a streamlined virtual conference which will highlight the most impactful scientific advances in the field.
Details of this approach are highlighted below. Please check our website regularly for further information as it becomes available. On behalf of the CAHR Board of Directors and the CAHR 2020 Scientific Committee, thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility during this difficult time.
Conference Dates
Friday May 1st to Saturday May 2nd (specific times to follow)
Registration
All registration fees will be waived. If you have already registered for CAHR 2020, you will be contacted by email to arrange a full refund or transfer your paid registration fees to the CAHR 2021 Conference.
CAHR Program at a Glance*
Friday May 1st (10:00 AM EST start time)
- Welcome from CAHR 2020 co-chairs
- Mark Wainberg Lecture
- Track Plenary session 1 (specific track TBD)
- Special session (TBD)
- Track Plenary session 2 (specific track TBD)
- Concurrent Oral Abstract session
Saturday, May 2nd (10:00 AM EST start time)
- Concurrent Oral Abstract session
- Track Plenary session 3 (specific track TBD)
- Track Plenary session 4 (specific track TBD)
- Special session (TBD)
- Rapporteur Session
- CAHR Annual General Meeting
*Subject to change
Oral Abstracts
Concurrent Oral Abstract Sessions
A select number of top-rated abstracts in each track will be offered an oral abstract timeslot, and the presenting authors will be contacted shortly with details and the opportunity to accept or decline. Each author will be asked to submit a short PowerPoint presentation (maximum 12 slides including cover slide) with audio narration. Detailed instructions will be sent by email in the coming days. Oral abstract presentations are limited to 10 minutes each (same length as at the in-person conference).
On Friday, May 1st, five of the top rated abstracts in each of CAHR’s four tracks (basic, clinical, epidemiology/public health, social sciences) will present their work.
On Saturday, May 2nd, an additional five of the top rated abstracts in each of CAHR’s four tracks (basic, clinical, epidemiology/public health, social sciences) will present their work. Five of the top ranked abstracts in the Key Populations theme will also be invited to present their work.
All other previously accepted oral abstracts will be offered the opportunity to submit an E-Poster (see details below).
E-Posters
Abstract submitters who were offered a poster will be asked to submit a PowerPoint presentation (maximum five slides including cover slide), which will be converted to PDF and posted online. Alternatively, a PDF of your poster may also be accepted. Authors will be encouraged to include an email contact to address any questions. Detailed instructions will be sent by email in the coming days.
Maximizing Interactivity
A chat room will be available throughout the event so that real-time discussion can take place (specifics TBD but will include Social Media platforms).
Accreditation
CAHR has reached out to AMMI Canada to discuss the possibility of accrediting the virtual Conference. Further details will follow as they become available.
After the Conference
All Conference sessions, oral abstract presentations, and posters will remain on the CAHR website for future viewing. Track plenary and oral abstract presentations will also be available for viewing post conference on the CAHR YouTube channel.
