Dr. Krista Dong is an infectious disease specialist and implementation scientist with expertise in the design of robust, patient centered HIV cure and prevention research protocols, and health systems strengthening focused on delivery of HIV and TB care and treatment. As an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and founding member of the Ragon Institute, she is a passionate advocate for inclusion of women in cutting edge HIV research and clinical trials. In 2012, she established the Females Rising through Education, Support and Health (FRESH) Acute HIV cohort in Durban South Africa, enrolling adolescent girls and young women in a program that includes a social empowerment and poverty-alleviation program integrated in a basic science research protocol. At FRESH the multidisciplinary team works closely with investigators, participants and the community to ensure each step of the iterative research design process keeps participants at the core of the effort, informing current and future protocols and interventions. FRESH is currently conducting a phase 2b trial assessing a novel regimen for HIV cure.
