Day Two - Information Overload!

Today was the second official day of the conference. Despite some frustrating transportation issues, we're getting along fine and gathering loads of information to share with everyone upon our return.
I was able to attend two very informative sessions today - one on reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act and the other on meth use and HIV (more on that coming). But I wanted to share my personal highlight of the day that occurred during the luncheon plenary. Two of the most accomplished and esteemed HIV researchers, Robert Gallo and Luc Montagnier, shared the stage to provide a treatment and research update. It's always beneficial for me to hear about the scientific updates and history - to hear what we've learned and how much it's helped not only people living with HIV and those at risk of infection, but also how HIV/AIDS research has contributed to other research arenas such as microbiology, vaccine development and cancer treatment. Both Gallo and Montagnier shared their predictions of the scientific advancements needed to end the epidemic, detailing the ways science can and will be able to prevent HIV from entering T-cells. Hearing both of these prominent figures explain detailed science with all of us, and encourage us to continue all our treatment and prevention efforts (calling us the army), was quite inspiring.
And of course hearing Jennifer Holliday sing "And I'm telling you" was fun!
-Nathan