Established in 1987 as the Aids Clinical Trials Unit (ACTU), the Washington University ACTU has been a highly productive participant in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group and is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Centrally located in the Midwest, it draws participants from Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Within the Division of Infectious Diseases, this ACTU is considered among the finest in the world.

The Washington University Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Unit (ID-CRU), as it is now known, is highly regarded for their expertise and is well established in the community. Led by Rachel Presti, MD, PhD, the ID-CRU provides access to HIV and Infectious Disease research opportunities, community outreach and education.

Our pharmacist Mike Royal brings a human face to research.

Team

Julia López, PhD, MPH, LCSW

Julia López, PhD, MPH, LCSW

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Dr. López is a public health researcher who uses her clinical practice skills to further advance the field of sexual health using public health and social work theories and frameworks.

Portrait of Luis Parra-Rodriguez, MD

Luis Parra-Rodriguez, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Dr. Parra-Rodriguez specializes in the longitudinal clinical care of people with HIV, with a special clinical research focus on aging, age-related clinical conditions, and mental health in people with HIV. As a core faculty member of the ID Fellowship Program, he serves as Co-Director of the STI and HIV Track.

Rachel Presti, MD, PhD

Rachel M. Presti, MD, PhD

Dr. J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine; Medical Director of the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Unit (IDCRU)

Dr. Presti specializes in clinical and translational research in infectious disease, with a special focus on HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections.