The theme for this year’s Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) conference is “Knowledge. Advocacy,” two principles Rosina Cianelli, Ph.D., M.P.H., RN, IBCLC, FAAN, has carried forward through her meaningful career as a nurse scientist whose unwavering commitment is to advance knowledge in HIV prevention and improve overall wellness of the women living with HIV, particularly those from minority communities. Now, ANAC will honor Cianelli’s outstanding contributions with its 2025 Researcher Impact Award. ANAC announced the award in September. The presentations will take place during the ANAC2025 conference in Philadelphia, November 6 to 8.
The Researcher Impact Award “recognizes an outstanding current ANAC member who has made a significant contribution through research regarding individuals and communities affected by HIV and the quality of care provided to them,” states the Awards Committee of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.
“Receiving the 2025 Researcher Impact Award from the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care is a profound honor that fills me with immense gratitude and pride,” said Cianelli. “To be recognized by such a respected organization for my HIV research contributions to the scientific community, individuals, and communities is both humbling and deeply inspiring. My commitment has always been to advance knowledge in HIV prevention and to improve the health, well-being, and overall wellness of women, whether through prevention efforts or by supporting those living with HIV—especially those from minority backgrounds who face disproportionate challenges. I am especially honored to be part of ANAC’s mission and to stand alongside so many dedicated scientists and professionals who work tirelessly to make a difference.”
Rosina Cianelli’s research, funded by the NIH and international, national, and regional foundations and organizations, reflects a lifelong dedication to improving women’s health and well-being. Her work focuses on HIV prevention among minority communities at higher risk of infection and among women living with HIV, integrating biobehavioral interventions that address biological, social, and cultural aspects of HIV. She has been a faculty member at the School of Nursing and Health Studies since 2007 and a tenured professor since 2021, teaching in the Ph.D. and DNP programs.
She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master of Public Health from Universidad de Chile, and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing Midwife from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She is recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, an Ambassador of the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research, and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow. She is also an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant.
“This meaningful award underscores the significance of research that not only advances knowledge in the prevention science but also enhances health outcomes for individuals affected by HIV,” she added. “It reflects the values I hold dear as a nurse, researcher, and advocate for women’s health.”
