About

My research group has a long history of translational HIV research: investigating basic molecular, virological, and immunological phenomenon, and leveraging insights to develop new interventions in HIV disease. While my work has involved many aspects of HIV science and medicine, for more than two decades a central focus of has been the study of molecular mechanisms of HIV proviral latency and persistence despite potent antiretroviral therapy (ART). We have defined the role of epigenetic factors in the restriction of HIV expression, and this has led to diverse, multidisciplinary collaborations and translational clinical studies resulting in discovery and high-impact work. I am the principal investigator for CARE (Collaboratory of AIDS Researchers for Eradication), an NIH-funded research organization that seeks to develop the tools to bring an HIV cure from the bench to the clinic. I am the principal investigator of NIH-funded studies combining immunotherapies (antibody-like molecules or antiviral T cell infusions) and small-molecule anti-latency agent (HDAC inhibitor) in FDA-approved investigations to attempt to precisely document the depletion of persistent HIV infection. Finally, I direct the UNC HIV Cure Center, created to support novel and impactful research needed to advance towards therapies to induce an HIV remission.