Medical researcher to discuss worldwide HIV crisis, prevention

    The threat of HIV infection still exists in society, but Dr. Frederick Ogunji, who will speak on SE Campus this week, has been working to fight the spread of the disease with his company HIV Prevention and Consulting, Inc.

   Ogunji will present Millennium Health Challenge: HIV Pandemic 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in the North Ballroom.

   The lecture is free and open to all students and community members.

   “Ogunji is speaking about the research he has been doing concerning HIV and the danger of its spreading. It once was an epidemic, and now it has become a pandemic and is widespread,” Regina Huse, instructor of biology, said.

   Ogunji plans to focus on the methods of prevention and stopping the spread of the virus, Huse said.

   As a medical researcher, Ogunji has been researching various STDs, but his primary area of study has been HIV.

   HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. The virus affects a person’s ability to fight disease, Huse said.

   “At one point the number of people affected by HIV was declining because we were educated about it and were using caution. But now they are rising. We have forgotten. The dangers of spreading are severe, and the people most susceptible are young people,” she said.

   Ogunji’s research and medical background allow him to speak directly and frankly to students about the methods of prevention, Huse said.

   “HIV is a matter of life or death. It is something that will kill you,” she said.

   The SE Future Professionals of Science and Medicine will sponsor the speech. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Huse at 817-515-3338.