"We need more choices to fight against HIV."- Luis Fernando Galarza, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Luis works with Fundación Ecuatoriana Equidad, a non-governmental organization in Ecuador that works for human rights, and the health and social welfare of the GLBTI Community. Equidad is collaborating on the new iPrEx OLE trial (the open-label extension of the original iPrEx study), and Luis is the site study coordinator for Guayaquil. He said of the project: "This trial and the great staff behind it has been for me the best opportunity I had to learn all I know so far about the serious and important clinical research world." He also offers counseling services related to HIV testing and risk reduction.
Luis was introduced to IRMA by a colleague in Lima, Peru - Steve Miralles of IRMA-ALC, IRMA's South American sister which is working to expand rectal microbicide and PrEP advocacy in the region. He is collaborating with IRMA-ALC, and is very excited about the possibilities in rectal microbicides, because "the alarming numbers of new HIV Infections around the world are telling us that new prevention strategies and technologies are extremely necessary, and rectal microbicides could be an excellent option."
In his free time, Luis enjoys being with his friends, family and partner. When alone he loves to garden, with his flowers and his two dogs to keep him company.
Read about other friendly rectal microbicides advocates. Newly featured advocates include Daniel Nuñez, Amy Stapleford Jackson, Maheswar Satpathy, Vanessa Marquez, and Mark Hubbard.
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