Principal Investigator
Spyros Kalams, MD is the Principal Investigator of the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Trials Unit. He is interested in evaluating the immune responses generated by HIV vaccine candidates in HIV seronegative subjects. As part of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group, he is also interested in evaluating ways to augment HIV-specific immunity through therapeutic immunization of subjects infected with HIV.
Co-Investigator
Dr. David Haas
Clinic Coordinator
Shonda Sumner MSN, RN is the Clinic Coordinator and has over 20 years of nursing experience. She has a Master's Degree in Nursing and has been with the program for over 12 years. Her prior work experience includes ICU, CCU and Pre-op/Recovery units.
Nursing Staff
Kenneth Stroop is a registered nurse with 17 plus years of experience at VUMC. His work experience includes Trauma ICU, Interventional Radiology, GI Lab procedures and Workers’ Comp. Case Management.
Laboratory Staff
Rita Smith
Laboratory Director
Rita is the Laboratory Director for the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program. She provides supervision and coordination of laboratory assays and shipping for clinical vaccine trials.
Dana King
Research Assistant II
Dana is no stranger to Vanderbilt. She's worked in many departments off and on since 1990, including the Vision Research Center, the Leukemia Lab, and even the very beginning of embryonic stem cell research.
Leslie Kirk
I am a research assistant in the processing lab for Vanderbilt HVTN. I handle the samples that we receive from the clinic and prepare them for shipping. Personally, I feel hugely rewarded for the small role I get to play in this network of people who exhibit diligence and passion for discovering therapies for this virus. Outside of the clinic/lab work, there is a whole team devoted to creating community and providing information and support. Proud to be a piece of this ongoing puzzle!
Community Engagement Team
Jarissa Greenard
Community Educator Recruiter
In this role, Jarissa identifies and builds networks with the Greater Nashville community to encourage their participation and representation in HIV Vaccine Prevention clinical trials. In addition to this role, she serves as a liaison between study participants and clinical nurses to facilitate study enrollment. To contact Jarissa, call (615) 343-8140.
Vic Sorrell, MSSW
Clinical and Translational Research Coordinator
Vic Sorrell brings over a decade of experience in HIV community engagement and clinical research to his role at the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program. After a dynamic career path that included roles in both nonprofit and industry settings, Vic returned to the program in 2021 with renewed passion for advancing HIV prevention science through community-centered approaches.
Vic began his journey in the HIV arena as the HIV Prevention Education Coordinator at Nashville CARES in 2008. From there, he played a pivotal role in recruiting more than 200 volunteers for groundbreaking HIV clinical trials such as HVTN 505 ‘Hope Takes Action’ and HVTN 704 ‘The AMP Study’ during his initial tenure at the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program from 2010 to 2017. He later expanded his impact nationally through his work as an HIV Community Liaison for Gilead Sciences, Inc., serving communities in Tampa, Nashville, Memphis, Alabama, and the Mississippi Delta.
Vic holds a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Tennessee and is also a trained psychotherapist. He is deeply committed to wellness, social justice, and building meaningful connections between science and community.
He shares life with his partner, Kolrick, and is a proud dog dad to three beloved fur babies: Archie, Bella, and Miles.