Infectious disease research at the UNC Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases (IGHID) attracts unique people driven to make big change in the world. As HIV/AIDS turned 40 in 2021, the world was immersed in a different pandemic, one that brought reminders of the tremendous change science made possible in understanding, treating and preventing HIV. Susan Pedersen, program manager for the Global HIV Prevention and Treatment Clinical Trials Unit, says the emergence of COVID was like a rebirth of that spirit as empowered researchers raced to find a solution.