Advisory Board

Gregory Casillas is very involved in community, state- and nation-wide organizations.

Living with HIV for 25 years, Gregory has been called to participate in the End Stigma End HIV Alliance in San Antonio, the Ryan White Planning Council – San Antonio where he served as co-chair.

He was asked by Mayor Ron Nirenberg to serve as a member of the selection committee for the City of San Antonio LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, and he also served the on the City of San Antonio Covid Health Transition Team.

As a CAB member, Gregory previously served the Strengthening Colors of Pride through the Pride Center-San Antonio and Texas Pride Health Planning Council. He currently serves on the HIV Out Loud oral history collection project at the University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio and recently finished a 2 year project on the Texas Health Institute & PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) Trans Healthcare Dissemination Advisory Panel.

Gregory is well versed in public speaking and never shy’s away from the opportunity to share information and education when speaking about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Cole studies inherited risk factors for developing metabolic disease including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and liver disease, all of which are comorbidities for worsening outcomes when faced with infections and infectious diseases. She collaborates on studies of population groups that have very high rates of metabolic and other diseases yet are traditionally under-represented in genetic and medical research. One such study is the Strong Heart Study of American Indians, which utilizes community-based participatory research approaches to reduce the prevalence and incidence of metabolic-related disease and to improve public health in general in the American Indian population. Dr. Cole is also a Core investigator of the Southwest National Primate Research Center, where she works with a team to genetically characterize the non-human primate colonies to inform breeding and research.

I serve as an Advisor to the Center for Chronic Infectious Diseases, where I hope to advocate for the research that this center is working on. I personally live with an infectious disease and have experience with that means to live with it. How to navigate life and continue my journey without it controlling me completely. My hope is to inform and strengthen the Center’s research and outreach efforts. I have participated in clinical trials and advise on strategies to increase community engagement, awareness, and education around infectious disease research. I am especially focused on elevating the voices of individuals ages 30 and under with demanding life schedules and demonstrating how younger populations can meaningfully contribute to research, prevention, and advocacy. Through my role, I hope to support research that is inclusive, community-driven, and responsive to the needs of South Texas communities.

Delana Gonzales is the Director of the Family-Focused AIDS Clinical Treatment Services (FFACTS) Clinic and provides leadership for the Hepatitis Special Project Division at University Health. She oversees a comprehensive portfolio of private, state, and federally funded program focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. With a strong background in public health, her work is focused on improving care delivery, strengthening prevention efforts, and enhancing health outcomes for individuals and communities affected by HIV/AIDS and hepatitis program.

Juan “Lou” Lewis is an Advisory Board member for the Center for Infectious Disease at UT Health San Antonio. A retired U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant and former federal employee with more than 40 years of service, he brings patient-informed perspective shaped by his experience as a COVID-19 long-hauler following hospitalization in 2020. His advisory contributions focus on patient advocacy, long-term recovery, and compassionate, accountable healthcare systems.

Dee is a 52-year-old woman, who until 5 years ago, lead an active life. Her job required her to be on her feet at all times. She ran errands for 2 households, was the event planner for her place of employment, loved nature photography, enjoyed going dancing with friends, and spending time with her family. Until December 2020 when she was diagnosed with COVID. From that, she developed long COVID, which changed everything. She started having symptoms that made day-to-day life a lot more challenging. For the first 6 months, she tried to push past all of the new limitations. It took her physical therapist and one of her doctors to explain to her that this is her new normal. She had to learn to live with the limitations because of all of her long COVID symptoms. Now, 5 years later, all she can do is manage and adjust. She feels very lucky to have an amazing support system that helps her stay positive when the really bad days happen.

Rob Purdie is a nationally recognized patient advocate and Managing Director of the MyCARE Foundation, the first patient-led, pan-fungal nonprofit in the United States. Diagnosed with coccidioidal meningitis in 2012, he has dedicated his career to advancing research, education, and policy for fungal diseases. Rob contributed to developing the first patient-reported outcome (PRO) tool for disseminated coccidioidomycosis and has co-authored publications in Clinical Infectious Diseases, The Lancet, and Mycopathologia. He serves on multiple World Health Organization committees and continues to amplify patient voices in global health and antimicrobial resistance policy.