Who We Are & What We Do
THE HIV+ AGING RESEARCH PROJECT (HARP-PS) was born in 2015 when a group of physicians, researchers, activists, and HIV+ individuals began meeting to study the long-term effects of HIV+ on an aging population with the mission of helping those with HIV live longer and healthier lives. It’s 501(c)3 status was registered the same year. HARP-PS seeks to research and better understand the medical and emotional factors of how to thrive as long-term survivors of HIV.
WHY WE EXIST
In 2001, only 17 percent of Americans living with HIV were 50 years of age or older. By 2009 that number had nearly doubled, to 33% percent. Today, over 50% of all Americans living with HIV are 50 years of age or older, and that number is expected to increase to 75% by 2030.
Compared to similar HIV-negative population, individuals aging with HIV may experience an early onset of neurocognitive decline, impaired physical function, frailty, and psychosocial challenges like isolation, depression, and PTSD from having lived through the AIDS epidemic (also known as AIDS Survivor Syndrome).
Many of our HIV+ population here in the Valley have put their time, efforts, and monies to help establish competent AIDS care here. Fortunately, HIV/AIDS has become a manageable illness and is no longer a death sentence. That population, however, is often the same population that is currently aging with HIV. HARP-PS is the one organization whose sole mission is to support people aging with HIV.
HARP - PS seeks to research and better understand the medical and emotional factors of how to thrive as long-term survivors of HIV.
WHAT WE DO
HARP-PS has Spearheaded multiple, vital, research studies in partnership with major universities throughout the states and across the country in partnership with the NIH and CDC. OUR PROGRAMS
Mission
To improve the lives of long-term HIV/AIDS survivors and those impacted by this disease, by fostering supportive, educational resources and conducting research for those with lived experience and the healthcare providers, experts and friends who care for them.
Vision
We will accomplish our mission by:
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conducting research on HIV & aging
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creating a cohort of seniors aging with HIV
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establishing and fostering unbiased channels of communication among the diverse HIV and aging communities
Meet our Staff
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Executive Director
Jeff Taylor
Jeff Taylor is a long-term survivor who has been active in HIV research advocacy since enrolling in the first AZT trials in the late ’80s. He is currently the Executive Director of the HIV+ Aging Research Project-Palm Springs, which conducts patient-centered, community-based research on aging and HIV in California’s Coachella Valley.
Jeff has served on the community scientific subcommittee of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group and as a community representative to the National Cancer Institute’s AIDS Malignancy Consortium, where he was a part of the HPV Working Group and the ANCHOR Study. In 2024 he was appointed to PACHA, The Presidents Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.
He previously served on the Department of Health and Human Services Antiretroviral Guidelines Panel. Jeff is currently on community advisory boards for the CARE Collaboratory, the UCSFGladstone amfAR Cure Institute and the UCSF DARE Collaboratory for HIV cure research. He’s also on the AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition's Drug Development Committee, which meets regularly with pharmaceutical and Food and Drug Administration on HIV drug development issues.
Co-Executive Director /COO
Steven Drew Auerbach
Steven Drew Auerbach is a recognized International Business Consultant specializing in Brand Marketing, Management, and Product Development for over 30 years, bringing numerous brands to the U.S. and global markets through his private firm.
Auerbach earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business/Consumer Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and has advanced certificates in International Negotiations, Importation and Writing. He is a published journalist and public speaker and has spoken on National Public Radio as well as other international radio and television broadcasts.
In 2017 Auerbach transitioned from private business to nonprofit and currently serves on the advisory board of two organizations focused on the health and welfare of the LGBTQ+ community. He has previously been on the Seattle board of The Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA), sat on the marketing committee for Venice Family Clinic/ Common Ground, and was an integral part of creating a non-profit foundation focused on hospice and palliative Care. He is also a Co-Founder of The Chosen Family Project.
Research and Programs Director
Christopher Christensen
Christopher Christensen is a longtime health advocate who participated in a vaccine study during the late 70’s, and became involved with HIV testing, treatment, and educational initiatives since the mid-80’s. He became a member of the AIDS Hotline team, led by Project Inform, and created by Martin Delany. In 1988, Christopher moved to Los Angeles, where he volunteered with AIDS Research Alliance of America (formerly Search Alliance) to advance the number of HIV treatments available to PLWH, and the National Gay Right Advocates, to help develop fair and equitable access to medical services for the LGBTQ community.
The bulk of Christopher’s career was with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In the ‘70s he was part of the Special Committee on Paperless Entries team (SCOPE), developing operational guidelines for Automated Teller Machines, and ACH payment systems. In the ‘80s, he led his division through the federal deregulation of the U.S. Banking system.
Christopher came to work for HIV+ Aging Research Project, in 2017, when the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), awarded a 2-year capacity building grant to HARP-PS. Currently, he is involved with the Virtual Village Research Project, and the RID HIV (Reversing Immune Deficiencies, which is a Delaney Cure Collaboratory, through the NIH. Christopher also volunteers in the community with PALS in the Desert (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors), DAP Health, and Palm Canyon Community Theater.
Programs Director - HIV+ Village Palm Springs
Jim Ferguson
Jim comes to HARP-PS with an extensive background in the travel industry, most notably, being on the ground floor of Expedia as well as having developed and owned an industry first mobile application.
Ferguson retired in 2016 and took on his most rewarding opportunity as guardian of his 72-year-old sister with Down Syndrome over the course of seven years. In 2021, Jim turned guardianship over to one of his siblings and moved to Palm Desert.
In December of 2022, Jim joined HARP-PS as a volunteer, seeing it as an opportunity to give back to his community. Since then, Jim has been invaluable to HARP-PS as the editor and creative lead behind its newsletter and as the first point of contact for the Positive Life Series. He also sits on the subcommittee for Business Development and Fundraising. Jim has been instrumental in driving the success of the HIV+ Village Palm Springs and Coachella as Program Director.
Our Board
Commitment. Expertise. Leadership
Chairman of the Board
Daniel Rangel, CPT
Mr. Rangel is a Medical Assistant (MA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), and Business Owner.
In 2006, Mr. Rangel completed a Certificate Program in Medical Assisting at the Academy of Professional Careers. Since then, Mr. Rangel has worked in the medical field for almost two decades, with 4 years in Dermatology, 7 years in Vocational Education, and 13 years in Clinical Research.
Mr. Rangel is the current President & Owner of Palmtree Clinical Research, Inc. (PCR).
Secretary
Bridgette Picou
Bridgette Picou, LVN, ACLPN is a nurse with several years of HIV and infectious disease experience, having worked at a combination ASO and federally qualified health center. She is the Stakeholder Liaison for The Well Project-Women and HIV. She also writes a guest column with Positively Aware Magazine called "Being Bridgette." In addition to her LVN license, Bridgette has been certified as an AIDS Care Nurse (ACLPN) and received the 2022 Patrick Kenny Certified Nurse of the year award. She is currently serving as the President of the Greater Palm Springs Chapter of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC).
Board Member
Ted Guice
Ted Guice has been a Personal Fitness Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor for over 35 years. Originally certified as a trainer and instructor at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, Ted is also certified as a Senior Fitness Trainer. As a long-term survivor of HIV Ted understands the unique and challenging aspects of healthy aging, senior exercise requirements and the emotional and social benefits of exercise for older adults.
Focusing on senior fitness, Ted has presented to the Palm Springs Rotary Club and the Palm Springs Women’s Club. He has eagerly donated his time to several city events including the Mayors Fun Run, The AIDS Walk, the Palm Springs Health Run and Wellness Festival, Hanson House, The Trevor Project, and as an ambassador to HARP-PS’ AIDS Walk team, “Team Thrive”. Through his radio program , A GOOD FIT at iHubRadio.com, Ted was able to feature and give exposure to several community organizations, including HARP-PS, Eisenhower Health, and DAP Health.
Board Member
Michael Koth, PhD, ABD
Michael Koth is a Physicologist, with a background as a health and wellness practitioner, personal trainer, spiritual collaborator, with degrees in clinical and depth psychology. He has been practicing for fifty years. His focus is to help people to help themselves.
A focus on drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual abuse, eating disorders, mental health issues and domestic violence are some of the experiences that ultimately acted as the catalyst to create the practice of Physicology.
Michael did his doctoral work at Pacifica Graduate Institute and Masters and Bachelors at Antioch University, Los Angeles. In addition, he has a Masters of Motion-Biomechanics and also studies at the Center for Human Development in cognitive neuroscience research.
A treasure of personal experience as well as a background in health, wellness, and mindfulness, creates a perspective that can be tailored to assist others in achieving their goals. His methodology is behavioral-based and focuses on working from the inside out.
Board Member
Dr. Ron Luanzon
Dr. Ron Luanzon is a seasoned family physician whose career has been defined by a deep commitment to preventive care and the treatment of HIV and viral hepatitis. A graduate of De La Salle University in the Philippines, Dr. Luanzon has practiced across Oregon, Washington, and Arizona before recently establishing his practice in California, bringing a wealth of clinical experience and a uniquely patient-centered perspective to the organization.
With a philosophy rooted in lifestyle medicine, Dr. Luanzon specializes in guiding patients living with HIV on a path toward aging well — gracefully, independently, and with vitality. He integrates evidence-based preventive strategies with holistic care principles to address not just the clinical dimensions of chronic illness, but the full spectrum of his patients’ long-term wellness and quality of life.
Board Member
Ongel Duncan
Ongel Duncan is a seasoned pharmaceutical professional with more than 30 years of experience, including 25 years dedicated to HIV.
She is a graduate of Amherst College in Massachusetts and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and also trained at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School.
Driven by a deep commitment to the HIV community, Ongel has been actively involved with various AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) and most recently with HARP.
Throughout her career, she has built strong relationships with HIV providers and remains steadfast in her dedication to advancing care and support for people living with HIV.
Our Volunteers
Extraordinary.
Social Media Wiz - Program Volunteer
Ken Vergonet
Ken has been a Palm Springs resident since 2016 having come from Omaha, NE. Aside from being a valued volunteer to HARP-S, he also volunteers his time to Let’s Kick ASS (AIDS Survivor Syndrom). He also enjoys physical fitness has run 3 marathons, countless ½ marathons, is a member of Front Runners & Walkers, and is also on a local bowling team. We can’t thank Ken enough for his work on our website, and social media as well as applying his tech skills to volunteer at our Positive Life Series and Positively Aging Project. Ken’s commitment to HARP-PS is invaluable.
Photographer
R. Chaderton Sain
HARP-PS is so fortunate to have “Chad” as our volunteer photographer for our website and events. He has also been an on-site photographer for Palm Springs Pride and other Palm Springs events.
Discovering a passion for photography after extensive careers in both the military and then in business, his works highlight the extraordinary often overlooked within the “ordinary” that surrounds our lives. For those who know him, what makes him stop and grab his camera is often a mystery to them. What really drives his photographic creativity is to invite you into that personal moment, with a hope that perhaps you too might also share something as equally special and unique. www.chadertonsainphotography.com
