Marcus J. Hopkins

Marcus J. Hopkins is the Founder and Executive Director of the Appalachian Learning Initiative (APPLI - pronounced like "apply")—a regional non-profit organization based in Morgantown, WV, that focuses on researching and developing solutions to address issues related to adult literacy, adult innumeracy, health literacy, and access to services in the 13-state, 423-county Appalachian Region.

A West Virginia native, Marcus was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 2005 and with AIDS in 2007. After thirty years of involvement in the performing arts (vocal and instrumental music, color guard, Winter Guard International, and Drum Corps International), has dedicated the last ten years of his time and expertise to bringing attention, clarity, and comprehensive education to the world of Patient-Centric HIV and Hepatitis C research and reporting.

Marcus has previously served as the Project Director for the HIV/HCV Co-Infection Watch and Medicaid Watch. He also blogs for CANN's "Hepatitis: Education, Advocacy & Leadership" (HEAL) coalition and the ADAP Advocacy Association's ADAP Blog. Marcus also served as the West Virginia Policy Coordinator, Executive Assistant, and Operations Manager at the Community Education Group.

In what little spare time he has, Marcus is a video game-addicted, cat-loving insomniac who leaves audiobooks playing in the background at all times.