3C. HIV&AIDS Abstract Session: Social, political & cultural aspects: Optimising support for people living with HIV
Tracks
| Monday, September 14, 2026 |
| 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
Speaker
Mr Mauricio Gomez Mejia
Peer Services Coordinator
Queensland Positive People
Left alone to figure it out: what people living with HIV tell us about AOD, diagnosis and system gaps.
Biography
Mao Gomez is the Peer Services Coordinator at Queensland Positive People, leading peer navigation and community engagement for PLHIV. With a background in HIV testing, peer support, and AOD prevention, Mao leads the PALS project, co-designing resources that address the intersection of HIV and alcohol and other drugs.
Dr Mihiri Weerasuria
PhD Candidate
Monash University
PERSPECTIVES OF WOMEN AND/OR PEOPLE WHO SPEAK LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH REGARDING HIV CURE RESEARCH
Biography
Dr Mihiri Weerasuria is an Infectious Diseases physician and clinical academic specialising in HIV medicine. She completed specialist training in 2023 and is undertaking a PhD on HIV cure research. Her work focuses on patient perspectives, clinical trials, and advancing equitable, innovative approaches to achieving an HIV cure.
Professor Amy Mullens
Professor, Clinical/health Psychologist
University of Southern Queensland
“He tells me it is not his job as a man to cook or wash clothes” – Intersectional identities influencing Antiretroviral therapy adherence among women with disabilities living with HIV.
Biography
Professor Amy Mullens is a Health and Clinical Psychologist and a Professor and Researcher at the University of Southern Queensland in the School of Psychology and Wellbeing. She has many years of experience working as a clinician in both the public and private sectors.
Mrs Naomi Hoffman
Clinical Nurse Consultant
Illawarra Shoalhaven Sexual Health Service
Understanding how Aboriginal people living with HIV want to receive their care
Biography
Naomi Hoffman is a proud Kamilaroi woman who has been working as a nurse in sexual health services for over a decade and recently received her Nurse Practitioner endorsement. Nay has post graduate qualifications in sexual health, public health and Indigenous trauma and is passionate about low barrier care.
Dr. Percy Gurtler
Research Officer
La Trobe University
The experiences of trans and gender diverse people living with HIV in Australia
Biography
Dr. Percy Gurtler is a research officer and research coordinator at La Trobe University. Percy's work focuses on LGBTQIA+ and trans and gender diverse health, including gender affirming care, mental health, and identity. They are passionate about participatory and community centered research.
Miss Bella Bushby
PhD Candidate & Senior Project Officer
Kirby Institute
Co-designing a national Bi+ sexual health and HIV framework: Key learnings and outcomes
Biography
Bella Bushby (she/her) is a PhD candidate and Senior Project Officer within the HIV Epidemiology and Prevention Program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney. Her PhD focuses on the sexual health/HIV needs of bi+ people in Australia. She previously worked in the HIV community sector with experience in community-led research.
Dr Lisa Wojciechowski
Program Development And Research Manager
Queensland Positive People
Beyond the HIV exceptionalist/mainstream binary: How integrating generalist supports into a peer led HIV program strengthened (rather than weakened) access to services for PLHIV in Queensland
Biography
Lisa Wojciechowski is a senior social worker with over 17 years’ experience in the HIV sector across hospital and community settings. She has worked from frontline service delivery to program management and now serves as Program Development and Research Manager at Queensland Positive People, leading innovative, co-designed, evidence-informed community initiatives.
