Dr. Darren L. Whitfield, a protocol team member for HPTN 096, member of the HPTN Black Caucus, and 2018-2019 Domestic Scholar is an associate professor of social work at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. His primary research focuses on understanding the impact of psychosocial and structural factors on health and mental health outcomes among Black men who have sex with men (MSM), Black transgender women, and LGBTQ communities.

Nelecy Chome RNM, MPH, an HPTN 084 Community Working Group member, is a community activities coordinator at the University of North Carolina Project in Lilongwe, Malawi. In addition to supporting several HPTN studies, Chome has worked with the Adult Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), and Microbicide Trials Network (MTN). She began her healthcare career 17 years ago as a nurse.

Cynthia Nombeko Mpongo is an HPTN 084 Community Working Group member and community liaison administrator at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa. She is the author of Nakanjani, a short story and poetry book, and co-author of the novel Whisper Not. Mpongo holds degrees in psychological counseling and social behavior.