Mentored Scientist Award

Latently infected CD4+ T cells, thought to be the main barrier to HIV cure, are indistinguishable from uninfected cells and are exceedingly rare, rendering the study of HIV latency in vivo particularly challenging. The development of more tractable systems such as in vitro primary cell models of latency has greatly advanced our understanding of the establishment, maintenance and reactivation of HIV latency, since these models permit higher infection frequencies and some employ reporter viruses to readily distinguish latent and productively infected populations.

Latently infected CD4+ T cells, thought to be the main barrier to HIV cure, are indistinguishable from uninfected cells and are exceedingly rare, rendering the study of HIV latency in vivo particularly challenging. The development of more tractable systems such as in vitro primary cell models of latency has greatly advanced our understanding of the establishment, maintenance and reactivation of HIV latency, since these models permit higher infection frequencies and some employ reporter viruses to readily distinguish latent and productively infected populations.

West Virginia has some of the highest risk areas in the country for HIV transmission. Opioid use, particularly through injection, has risen dramatically in the state which also has the nation’s highest drug overdose death rate.

West Virginia has some of the highest risk areas in the country for HIV transmission. Opioid use, particularly through injection, has risen dramatically in the state which also has the nation’s highest drug overdose death rate.

Food insecurity, which refers to having limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, and violence are prevalent among women in the United States, and disproportionately affect HIV-positive women. Both food insecurity and violence are associated with negative health behaviors and outcomes including HIV risk behaviors, chronic diseases, poor mental health, and reduced engagement in HIV care and treatment. Evidence suggests that food insecurity is associated with increased risk for intimate partner violence (IPV).

Food insecurity, which refers to having limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, and violence are prevalent among women in the United States, and disproportionately affect HIV-positive women. Both food insecurity and violence are associated with negative health behaviors and outcomes including HIV risk behaviors, chronic diseases, poor mental health, and reduced engagement in HIV care and treatment. Evidence suggests that food insecurity is associated with increased risk for intimate partner violence (IPV).

HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy have higher than expected rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than uninfected individuals, and HIV-induced chronic inflammation is believed to be directly and causally associated with the accelerated atherosclerosis development. Prior studies have revealed that chronic inflammatory states, such as atherosclerosis, show significantly increased levels of circulating endothelium-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are preferentially taken up by monocytes and lead to monocyte activation.

HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy have higher than expected rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than uninfected individuals, and HIV-induced chronic inflammation is believed to be directly and causally associated with the accelerated atherosclerosis development. Prior studies have revealed that chronic inflammatory states, such as atherosclerosis, show significantly increased levels of circulating endothelium-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are preferentially taken up by monocytes and lead to monocyte activation.

Dr. Joshua Vásquez, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Experimental Medicine and the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at UCSF who is establishing himself as a clinician-scientist in HIV immunology. This award will provide him with preliminary data and support to apply for future funding for projects aimed at: (1) characterizing the pulmonary reservoir of HIV and (2) to determining whether defects in alveolar macrophages are associated with HIV-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and persist, despite antiretroviral therapy.

Dr. Joshua Vásquez, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Experimental Medicine and the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at UCSF who is establishing himself as a clinician-scientist in HIV immunology. This award will provide him with preliminary data and support to apply for future funding for projects aimed at: (1) characterizing the pulmonary reservoir of HIV and (2) to determining whether defects in alveolar macrophages are associated with HIV-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and persist, despite antiretroviral therapy.