08/11/2026
With the arrival of the latest Notice of Award, the CFAR enters an exciting new chapter marked by a transition in leadership. Dr. Ron Swanstrom, who served as the Director since he helped establish the CFAR in 1998, has stepped down and will serve as an Associate Director. The new CFAR leadership includes Dr. David Margolis, who will serve as the Contact PI, and Drs. Angela Kashuba and Audrey Pettifor, who will be Co-CFAR Directors.
“For me, the CFAR is a place where people join a community with the expectation that opportunities for help and collaboration are always available. I am excited about the new CFAR leadership. They are more than capable of guiding us through these uncertain times. You will recognize their names as world-class scientists with years of experience in our CFAR and in center leadership,” Dr. Swanstrom shared in a message to the CFAR community.
Drs. Margolis, Kashuba, and Pettifor thanked Dr. Swanstrom for his three decades of leadership and service to the CFAR, saying, “You have built a community grounded in scientific excellence, generosity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of people affected by HIV. Your leadership has shaped countless careers, opened doors for new investigators, strengthened partnerships, and helped establish UNC as a national leader in HIV research. Just as importantly, you have led with humility, humor, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine appreciation for people and perspectives beyond your own. Those qualities are deeply woven into the culture of our CFAR and will remain an enduring part of your legacy.”
