Li Du is a staff scientist researcher in Dr. Satish Pillai’s lab at the Vitalant Research Institute. Her research is focused on understanding HIV-1 persistence and pathogenesis, particularly on modulating host factors to target HIV-1 persistence. The goal of her work is to uncover new strategies to disrupt HIV-1 reservoirs and enhance viral clearance, contributing to efforts toward an HIV cure. Li Du is currently working on the project under Dr. Pillai’s mentorship focused on studying the role of Galectin-9 in the persistence of HIV-1. Galectin-9 has been implicated in maintaining intact HIV proviral DNA during antiretroviral therapy, and it can reactivate latent HIV, increasing tissue HIV DNA and RNA levels. Her current focus is on evaluating P4D2, an anti-Gal-9 monoclonal antibody, as a potential therapeutic to target HIV persistence. Additionally, she is also working on developing novel antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2, addressing the ongoing challenges by the COVID-19 pandemic.