Zachary Barnett

Zachary has worked as a marketing and events consultant for a number of high-ranking brands, many with and LBGT focus, since moving to NYC in 2006. In the summer of 2008 Barnett took his communication skills and passion for creating engaging events to the world of HIV research.

After doing some intensive research, Barnett reached out to Dr. Sudhir Paul and his science team at the University of Texas, after seeing a CBS clip on their work on YouTube entitled “Possible HIV Cure” (the clip is the highest viewed HIV cure video on YouTube). In 2009, Barnett and friend and former Interview Magazine Marketing Director Marie LaFrance threw a gala for the researchers and launched a PSA featuring Wilson Cruz, Justin Bond, and Lady Bunny to engage supporters.

In 2010 the UT research team presented a grant to the NIH to receive funds to test the vaccine in humans, and despite getting top reviews, the trial was not funded due to budgetary restrictions. That a promising vaccine candidate was being forced to sit on the shelf enraged Barnett, and he decided to take his social entrepreneurship to the next level. A handful of wealthy philanthropists gave Barnett seed money to raise charitable funds for the trial, similarly to how the March of Dimes Funded Jonus Salk’s Polio Trial.

Barnett formed a board and started the Abzyme Research Foundation a 501(c)3, and their work can be found at endhiv.com. The group is pushing for a phase I FDA trial of the innovative therapeutic vaccine in HIV+ subjects at the University of Texas next year. To raise awareness about the every present war on HIV, Barnett conceived of a PSA campaign that combined real voices of HIV advocates with celebrities. The first video released 2/3/12 features Rachel Zoe, and Family Ambassador for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Fortunata Kasege.

“The terror of the AIDS crisis forced the LGBT community to organize, demand attention, rights, and care. Since the development of anti-retrovirals the conversation about HIV in the community has all but disappeared despite the fact that MSM are still the leading new infection group in the US. The community needs to not be content with just managing the infection, we need to vocalize the need for a cure, better therapies, and a vaccine.”

In April of 2012, Zachary was named one of the 40 under 40 by the advocate and continues to lead the Abzyme Research Foundation as the Executive Director.