Impact In Progress

About Impact In Progress

Impact In Progress is a podcast of Emory University’s Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, where we talk about Emory’s research, scholarship, and creative activity and the impact it’s having on the world around us in Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and beyond. Created and hosted by: Dr. Kimberly Eck with Victor Zamora, Dena Reinoso, Erica Pitre, and Chat With Leaders Media.

Publisher

Kimberly Eck

Category

science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Aug 2025

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Making HIV Research More Impactful

   Episode Notes Behind every landmark scientific breakthrough and published medical trial is a dedicated team of clinical research coordinators, nurses, regulatory specialists, and community engagement officers. In this episode, Dr. Kimberly Eck welcomes Tanisha Sullivan, a 25-year Emory veteran who coordinates the Emory HIV Clinical Trials Unit (CTU). Sullivan highlights Emory's role as a leading enrollment site in global research networks like HPTN, ACTG, and HVTN, including the landmark HPTN 083 study that proved long-acting injectable PrEP is more effective than daily oral pills. Sullivan shares her personal journey from regulatory coordinator to senior leadership, emphasizing how health equity drives her passion. She discusses localized efforts at the Hope Clinic and Ponce de Leon Center to address high HIV rates in Fulton County and Atlanta, while expanding clinical trial access to rural communities, Latinx populations in Georgia, and international partner sites in Mexico and the Philippines. Key Takeaways: The Workforce Behind Discovery: Recognizing clinical trial staff as the essential "connective tissue" translating laboratory science into community healthcare. Impact Beyond Publications: How expanding access to long-acting prevention options directly changes lives in heavily impacted regions like Atlanta and the American South. Building Mentorship Pipelines: Growing diverse clinical research professionals from entry-level roles into future study leaders. Resources: Learn about the Hope Clinic of Emory Vaccine Center: https://hopeclinic.emory.edu/ (https://hopeclinic.emory.edu/) Learn about the Ponce Clinical Research site : https://www.instagram.com/emory_ponce_crs/ (https://www.instagram.com/emory_ponce_crs/) and Ponce studies: https://linktr.ee/PONCECRS?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=d50b1fc4-2c45-4720-b1dd-3610fc402f8e (https://linktr.ee/PONCECRS?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=d50b1fc4-2c45-4720-b1dd-3610fc402f8e) Learn more about the Global Networks discussed in this episode: HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN): https://www.hptn.org/ (https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hptn.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.jo.eck%40emory.edu%7Cb6d4c5c06778481fb12708df1a5280e4%7Ce004fb9cb0a4424fbcd0322606d5df38%7C0%7C0%7C639258613786902218%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ChMHmdNbtuHN%2BUerL9%2BsGKHeCoS50uaslsfVvZckKSI%3D&reserved=0) Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally (ACTG): https://actgnetwork.org/ (https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Factgnetwork.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.jo.eck%40emory.edu%7Cb6d4c5c06778481fb12708df1a5280e4%7Ce004fb9cb0a4424fbcd0322606d5df38%7C0%7C0%7C639258613786913126%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mdQhL4qor%2FN6g6ZeVHVtlegFALJe%2BtmA3KB3Bi9UpLM%3D&reserved=0) HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN): https://www.hvtn.org/ (https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvtn.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.jo.eck%40emory.edu%7Cb6d4c5c06778481fb12708df1a5280e4%7Ce004fb9cb0a4424fbcd0322606d5df38%7C0%7C0%7C639258613786923231%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DQijUVMWFEjeexVL8VtOPkK%2FyXxZP0Du0AakaK6iWQs%3D&reserved=0) Call to Action: Learn more about ongoing clinical research and trial opportunities at the Emory Hope Clinic by visiting hopeclinic.emory.edu (https://hopeclinic.emory.edu/) or reaching out to researchdevelopment@emory.edu (mailto:researchdevelopment@emory.edu). To stay updated on the latest research and impact at Emory, follow Impact in Progress on your favorite podcast platform, and if you are an Emory researcher interested in being featured, please reach out to Dr. Kimberly Eck at researchdevelopment@emory.edu (mailto:researchdevelopment@emory.edu). This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Tiny Systems: Small, Low-Cost Devices for Molecular Testing

   Episode Notes What if receiving a rapid, high-accuracy molecular diagnostic test didn't require driving to a major hospital or waiting days for specialized lab equipment? Host Dr. Kimberly Eck connects with biomedical engineer Dr. David Myers to discuss how his lab is decentralizing molecular testing. By developing low-cost, simplified sample preparation cartridges that isolate and preserve genetic material without refrigeration, Dr. Myers, in collaboration with Dr. Jesse Waggoner, is bridging the gap between complex diagnostic machinery and the patients who need them most. Key Takeaways: Removing the Sample Prep Bottleneck: Why sample preparation and purification—rather than the test itself—is the primary barrier to point-of-care testing. The Joint BME Advantage: How shared biomedical engineering spaces between Emory and Georgia Tech foster fast, interdisciplinary innovation. Universal Testing Access: Pushing toward a world where the question isn't "Can we test for this here?" but simply "Can we test?" Resources: David Myers’ Faculty Profile: https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=DMYERS3 (https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=DMYERS3) Learn about Water Bear Bio: https://www.waterbearbio.com/ (https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterbearbio.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.jo.eck%40emory.edu%7C90699675bd934ba5d50708df133dd599%7Ce004fb9cb0a4424fbcd0322606d5df38%7C0%7C0%7C639250830200318712%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YA2yDZGcxMEYn8mDUQPm%2B4vW4%2Bs7SLeRSn%2BsTW64yI8%3D&reserved=0) Listen to Dr. Myers' feature on Emory's Holy Shift podcast: https://bme.gatech.edu/news/myers-talks-about-science-small-things-0 (https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbme.gatech.edu%2Fnews%2Fmyers-talks-about-science-small-things-0&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.jo.eck%40emory.edu%7C90699675bd934ba5d50708df133dd599%7Ce004fb9cb0a4424fbcd0322606d5df38%7C0%7C0%7C639250830200330056%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=l9sE6FtJvaFN8lpoAxkDP19rCBqjhifuczG61nQc5VY%3D&reserved=0) Call to Action: Explore cutting-edge engineering work in the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at bme.emory.edu (https://bme.emory.edu/). Check out Dr. Myers' episode on Emory's Holy Shift podcast! To stay updated on the latest research and impact at Emory, follow Impact in Progress on your favorite podcast platform, and if you are an Emory researcher interested in being featured, please reach out to Dr. Kimberly Eck at researchdevelopment@emory.edu (mailto:researchdevelopment@emory.edu). This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

3. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Expanding HIV Prevention Services Through Pharmacies

   Episode Notes With 95% of Americans living within five miles of a pharmacy, community pharmacists represent one of our most accessible healthcare resources. In this episode, Dr. Kimberly Eck sits down with implementation scientist Dr. Natalie Crawford to discuss breaking down structural barriers in HIV prevention. Dr. Crawford examines stark racial disparities in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage, where despite representing a majority of new diagnoses in the South, only 13% of Black individuals who need PrEP are currently prescribed it, compared to over 90% of White individuals. Dr. Crawford details Georgia's Senate Bill 195, which empowers trained pharmacists to prescribe PrEP directly without a prior physician visit. Through the Rx for Change partnership, her CORE lab works alongside community organizations using a "train-the-trainer" model to educate local pharmacists on sexual health advisory, stigma reduction, and direct prescribing protocols. Key Takeaways: Pharmacies as Stigma-Reducing Spaces: Utilizing neutral retail environments to increase access to HIV prevention and screening. Bridging the Implementation Chasm: Why passing state legislation is only the first step and how community organizations are training pharmacists to utilize their new prescribing authority. Lessons from COVID-19: Recognizing the proven capacity of pharmacists as front-line public health providers. Resources: View Dr. Natalie Crawford’s faculty profile: https://sph.emory.edu/ (https://sph.emory.edu/) National PrEP Locator Tool: preplocator.org (https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreplocator.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.jo.eck%40emory.edu%7C4809a447fac147e836ee08df0dbcbb41%7Ce004fb9cb0a4424fbcd0322606d5df38%7C0%7C0%7C639244776413203001%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FDSkap2QX%2F%2Bq4PAt5xjyi78WEK%2Fkkm9zoXRvb6J4fdE%3D&reserved=0) Partner Organizations: AIDS United, Black Public Health Academy, National Pharmaceutical Association, Emory COMPASS Center. Community Event: Join community efforts around the AIDS Walk Atlanta taking place on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Call to Action: To find PrEP providers and accessible pharmacy locations near you, visit preplocator.org (https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreplocator.org%2F\&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.jo.eck%40emory.edu%7C4809a447fac147e836ee08df0dbcbb41%7Ce004fb9cb0a4424fbcd0322606d5df38%7C0%7C0%7C639244776413223878%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C\&sdata=hFLTFVDKww0ibfvWc%2FHHtqWfWtT6KyHGFo0Nf4xAFMg%3D\&reserved=0). Learn more about public health initiatives at https://sph.emory.edu/ (https://sph.emory.edu/)sph.emory.edu (http://sph.emory.edu). To stay updated on the latest research and impact at Emory, follow Impact in Progress on your favorite podcast platform, and if you are an Emory researcher interested in being featured, please reach out to Dr. Kimberly Eck at researchdevelopment@emory.edu (mailto:researchdevelopment@emory.edu). This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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