Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco honoured with award for exceptional leadership for the HIV/AIDS community
Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco is being recognized for decades of exceptional leadership in the HIV/AIDS community.
As a person living with HIV, Francisco has been a part of the Canadian HIV movement since 1989. His participation as an advocate, community leader, and researcher has spanned across five decades and between two provinces. He adds this Casey Award alongside a King Charles III Coronation Medal, CAHR Red Ribbon Award, and the Elisse Zack Award for his work in HIV research and community health.
Francisco began his public health career in Vancouver shortly after his HIV diagnosis. Here, he completed a PhD in education at Simon Fraser University, worked at Positive Living BC, and served on the board of directors of AIDS Vancouver. Upon moving to Toronto in 2012, he became director of education and training at Ontario HIV Treatment Network and coordinated community-led projects including research, panel discussions, and educational videos. His skills and compassion for others left a lasting impression on his colleagues and community members.
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Francisco was invited to join the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health as a lecturer and later an assistant professor. Subjects of his research include rehabilitation in the context of long-term HIV, how to lead community-led research, supporting peer-integrated research, HIV and cognition, impacts of HIV stigma, and more. Concurrently, he contributed for Universities Without Borders, Realize Canada, the Community-Based Research Centre, the Canadian Association for HIV Research, and worked closely with local agencies to address health inequities.
Across the breadth of his research, Francisco has maintained strong relationships uplifting people with lived HIV experience, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and fellow academic colleagues. Francisco aims to break down barriers between people with lived experience and the academic institutions. His graciousness in the research process empowers marginalized populations to build agency as subject matter experts with valued experiences.
Presently, Francisco continues to teach at Dalla Lana while mentoring students and leading research projects. Furthermore, he is a member of the CIHR HIV/AIDS and STBBI Research Advisory Committee, which guides CIHR on the implementation of HIV/AIDS and STBBI research in Canada.
Casey House is thankful to have had Francisco as a peer chef during Casey House’s first ever June’s HIV+ Eatery in 2017. His lengthy and ongoing career driven by his dedication with community is admirable. We extend warm congratulations to Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco as we celebrate him with a Casey Award.