Russell Campbell is the director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination (HANC) at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle. Russell is a mentor with a career dedicated to supporting public health and racial injustice and has been involved in HIV, prostate cancer, diabetes treatment, and prevention research efforts for three decades. Russell is committed to addressing health disparities disproportionately impacting underrepresented communities in clinical research.   

What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most? 

As HANC’s director, I love working with an amazing staff of individuals passionate about our mission to support the science and operations of the HIV/AIDS clinical trials networks. 

What would you say most motivates you to do what you do? 

The memories of my first partner and other friends who are no longer with us physically and doing my part to provide a healthier future for my three beautiful children are what motivates and sustains me to do this work.

What has surprised you most about working in HIV research? 

The beautiful bonds of friendship that I have formed with individuals from around the world as part of this work have been a gift. When I came into this field, I never imagined that I would be working shoulder-to-shoulder with such wonderful humans committed to making this world a safer and healthier place for all!

Who has been the most significant influence in your career? Why? 

Dr. Jeffrey Schouten, former HANC director, and Drs. Nwora Lance Okeke and Kenric Ware. I learned a great deal working alongside Dr. Schouten during his time as HANC Director, which has been invaluable for me in my career. In 2018, I had the privilege of partnering with Dr. Nwora Lance Okeke, an associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C., and Dr. Kenric Ware, a clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice at Mercer University in Atlanta, which resulted in the creation of the Bringing PrEP to Campus (BPC) program which became Evidence2Practice (E2P). E2P is an intensive on-campus workshop-based initiative to increase student interest in careers in HIV science by providing an experience-based introduction to implementation science—the collaboration with Drs. Nwora Lance and Kenric Ware have been rewarding professionally and personally. Collaborating with brilliant colleagues and friends who are constant sources of support and inspiration is a privilege.    

What volunteering or passion projects do you do outside of work? 

I love performing in local community musical theater productions.  

What is your guilty pleasure? 

Binge-watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy!