Journal of AIDS and HIV Infections

Dr. Hillary Mukudu, Ph.D. is a researcher at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), MRC Soweto Matlosana Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS and TB, within the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Health and an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of the Witwatersrand, as well as a BScHB and MBChB from the University of Zambia. Dr. Mukudu’s research focuses on HIV prevention, public health policy, and health systems strengthening. His doctoral thesis, “Implementation of Universal Health Coverage in South Africa: Formative Effects, Perceived Quality of Healthcare, and Modelling of Health Service Utilisation Indicators in a National Health Insurance Pilot District” (2018–2022), explored strategies to enhance equitable access to healthcare. His earlier master’s research (2012–2015), “Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for the Prevention of HIV Transmission in South Africa,” contributed valuable insights into HIV prevention efforts in the region. Dr. Mukudu continues to work toward improving population health outcomes through evidence-based policy, epidemiological research, and implementation science.

Research: Stakeholder Management Specialist, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Dr. George E. Woody is currently working as a professor at Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania and Treatment Research Institute and as visiting professor at Department of Psychiatry, University of Rio Grande do Sul. He received many honors and awards in his career and has membership in several scientific societies. He published many articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. George E. Woody research is mainly focused on Substance abuse treatment outcome, dual diagnosis and HIV risk reduction. 

Dr. Lingjun Zhao is currently working as an associate research professor at the Institute for Molecular Virology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He completed his PhD in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He published articles in molecular biology of HIV, HTLV, adenovirus E1A, and its C-terminal binding protein in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Lingjun Zhao research is focused on Molecular biology of HIV - host cell interactions and onco-epigenetic regulations by viral oncogene products including adenovirus E1A.

Dr. Alcides Troncoso is currently working as a Professor at Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the University of Buenos Aires. He did his postgraduate work in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at University of Buenos Aires and Clinical Tropical Medicine at the La Plata School of Medicine. He has received numerous honors and has held medical society positions worldwide. He published various articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Alcides Troncoso research is mainly focused on microbiology and infectious diseases. 

Dr. Leonid b. Margolis is currently working as Head for the Section of Intercellular Interactions, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. He worked as visiting professor at Ilia University. He received many honors and awards in his career. He published several articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Leonid b. Margolis research is mainly focused on Cell behavior, cell contact interactions and cell response to various factors in three-dimensional tissue microenvironment, HIV pathogenesis in human lymphoid tissue, Interactions of human pathogens in tissues, HIV surface proteins. 

Dr. Xiao-Jian Yao is currently working as an associate professor at Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. He completed his PhD at  Department of microbiology and immunology, University of Montreal. He received many honors and awards in his career. He published various articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Xiao-Jian Yao research is mainly focused on: Investigation of role and molecular mechanism of HIV-1/host interaction in the early stage of HIV replication and their impact on the establishment of viral infection. Study on the mechanism involved in the combat between HIV-1 Vif and host defenders during HIV-1 infection, and development of new “intracellular Immunization” strategies restricting HIV dissemination and inducing broad immune response. Study on the mechanisms of HIV latency aimed to develop new strategies reactivating HIV latent reservoir for eradication.

Dr. Jennifer Chan is an Associate Professor in the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. She graduated from the French business school, Hautes Etudes Commerciales, and Stanford University (Ph.D. 2001). She published many articles in international journals.

Research: Dr. Jennifer Chan research is mainly focused on social movements, human rights, HIV/AIDS, global health governance, comparative feminisms, multiculturalism and antiracism, comparative education, and political sociology. 

Dr. Sónia Dias is Associate Professor and Director of the International Public Health Unit of the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa. She has a PhD in International Health and a Degree in Psychology. She is Director of the Master in Health and Development. She has published in books and in international and national peer-reviewed journals.

Research: Dr. Sónia Dias research is mainly focused on HIV/other STI prevention, sexual health promotion, health of vulnerable groups, access to health services and community intervention.

Dr. Zodwa Dlamini is currently working as a professor at department of Translational Oncogenomics & Molecular Pathology, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences and as visiting professor at University of Bristol. She held several positions and published various articles in international journals. Dr. Zodwa Dlamini research is mainly focused on characterization of genes involved in cancer and apoptosis with a focus on a novel Ubiquitin-like DWNN (Domain with No Name), and proteins involved in ceramide signalling.  

Dr. Judy Twigg is professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she teaches courses on global health, international political economy, international relations, and Russian politics. She is also currently serving as a senior associate (non-resident) with the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where she directs the Eurasia Health Project; consultant to the World Bank and U.S. federal government; and adjunct professor at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She co-chairs the Public Health Working Group and the overall Steering Committee for the US-Russia Social Expertise Exchange Program (formerly the Civil Society Partnership Program) administered by the Eurasia Foundation. She has also been a senior advisor for the Eurasia Program of the Social Science Research Council in New York. She has testified as an expert witness before the U.S. Congress and has been a member of several congressional and other U.S. government advisory groups on Russian affairs. She was a member of the 2005 Council on Foreign Relations Task Force on U.S.-Russia relations and one of 12 recipients of the 2005 State Council on Higher Education in Virginia’s Distinguished Faculty Award. In early 2014, she was inducted into the Fort Hill High School Alumni Hall of Fame.

Research: Dr. Judy Twigg research is mainly focused on issues of health, demographic change, and health systems reform in Russia, as well as evaluations of health reform, communicable disease control, and education reform projects across the former Soviet Union, sub-Saharan Africa, and other parts of the world. 

Dr. Xinyong Liu is currently a distinguished principal professor, a designated Ph.D. advisor, Director of the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry, Vice Dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University. He obtained his Ph.D. from Shandong University in 2004. In his medicinal chemistry research fields, he has published more than 300 paper and 6 monographs. In addition, 26 patents have been granted presently.

Research: Dr. Xinyong Liu research work is partly engaged in the rational drug design, synthesis and antiviral evaluation of a variety of molecules that interact with specific enzymes and receptors in viral life cycle (HIV, HBV, HCV, Flu). (1) in anti-HIV drug research, He is focusing on the design and synthesis of novel non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and the novel multiple ligands (inhibitors) simultaneously targeting at HIV-1 RT and integrase. (2) in anti-HBV drug research, he is focusing on design and synthesis of some novel non-nucleoside (small molecules) inhibitors. (3) in anti-influenza drug research, he is conducting the neuramidinase inhibitors and RNA polymerase inhibitors. His second ongoing program is design, synthesis and cardiovascular studies of novel factor Xa inhibitors, and synthesis of some natural products from Chinese Traditional Medicine active in cardio/vascular diseases.

Dr. Huan-Zhang Zhu is currently working as a professor at State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University. He completed his PhD at Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia in Vancouver (2006). He published many articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Huan-Zhang Zhu research is mainly focused in Using molecular genetics, epigenetics, genetic engineering and immunology, to understand the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 persistence, to develop novel biological therapy technology and candidate drug for anti HIV therapies.

Dr. Xiaohong Kong is currently working as Vice Dean and as a professor at Nankai University. She worked as an associate professor at College of Life Sciences (2002-5). She completed her PhD at Department of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University . She received many honors and awards in her career and published various articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Xiaohong Kong research is mainly focused on the role of HIV replicative fitness in mother to child transmission, HIV early event –entry, BIV fusion, Lentiviral vector mediated gene delivery for the therapy of spinal cord injury, HIVi inhibit and HIV replication.  

Dr. Yinggao Zhou is currently working as an Associate Professor at School of Mathematics and Statistics, Central South University. He completed his PhD 2007. He published various articles in international journals. 

Research:  Dr. Yinggao Zhou research is mainly focused on Optimal control with applications in epidemics, Differential/Difference equation with applications in epidemics and Mathematical modeling/Bio-mathematical model. 

Dr. Xiaodong Ma is currently working as an associate professor at College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University. He worked as Chemical Engineer at Research and development center, China National Petroleum Corporation. 

Research: Dr. Xiaodong Ma research is mainly focused on Structure-based drug molecule design, Antiviral (HIV, HCV, HBV) drug research and development, Antitumor (EGFR inhibitor) drug research and development, Organic synthesis.

Dr. Peng Zhan is currently working as an associate professor at Shandong University. He obtained his B.S. degree from Shandong University, China (2005), then he earned his M.S. degree and Ph.D in medicinal chemistry from Shandong University. He published more than 60 SCI academic peer review papers, more than 10 patents as co-inventors, and received the first prize of Shandong Province Science and Technology Innovation Achievement excellent graduate award. 

Research: Dr. Peng Zhan research is mainly focused on discovery of novel antiviral, anticancer and neurodegenerative diseases-related agents based on the rational drug design approaches.

Dr. Maretha Visser is currently working as a professor at Department of psychology, University of Pretoria. She completed her PhD in Psychology at University of Pretoria (2001). She published various articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Maretha Visser research is mainly focused on Epidemiological studies, participative action research, monitoring and evaluation, integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods, development of research instruments, behavioral HIV prevention and support services for people living with HIV. 

Dr.Zhenghong Wu is a professor in pharmaceutics and a vice Chair of the Nanjing Pharmaceutical Association, also a licensed Pharmacists in China. From 2006 to 2016, He served as deputy director of the Experiment Center for Pharmacy. He received his Ph.D. (pharmaceutics, in 2003) and M.S. (pharmaceutical analysis, in 1997) from China Pharmaceutical University (Nanjing, China). He is a member of several journal editorial boards, and is a reviewer for National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center of the Ministry of Education and also for many pharmaceutical and drug delivery journals.  He has published more than 150 publications including papers, book and textbook chapters, conference proceedings, and patents. He has trained more than 60 PhD/MS students, and visiting scholars. His research is supported by grants from the National Basic Research Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and other national sources.

Research: Dr. Zhenghong Wu research interest includes in the area of bio pharmaceutics, targeted drug delivery, nanotechnology (polymers, dendrites, liposomes, etc.) for cancer treatment, molecular targeting, use of macromolecules for drug delivery, modified-release preparations.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh is presently working as Professor at Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, tamil Nadu India. He received his PhD in Applied Chemistry from CJSM University, Kanpur in 2004. He holds several positions in different capacities within the University. He has served as Scientist in Pharmaco informatics division at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali. He is serving as Secretary General of Bioinformatics and Drug Discovery Society (BIDDS) and notable an elected member (MNASc) of The National Academy of Sciences, India. He is also a member of several scientific societies and academic bodies. He has vast experience of sixteen years in research/teaching and has published around 90 international and national research article/review/book chapters in peer-reviewed journals. He is one of the Editor in Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, published by the Korean society of Microbiology and Biotechnology (KMB) and also a reviewer in many prestigious journals. His outstanding research in HIV integrates and protease has been recognized by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through the honor of ICMR Lala Ram ChandKandhari Award for the year 2014. He also has received several awards and honors in research career.

Research: Dr. Sanjeev’s kumar singh research interest includes in HIV neutralizing the HIV infection by targeting different proteins crucial for virus’ existence. Presently, he is focusing on investigating entry, attachment, protease and p/LEDGF based integrates inhibitors to find potential small molecules for the treatment of HIV. He is keenly interested in investigating small molecules which exclusively interacts with CDKs, HAT, h-GPCR, Retinoblastoma and HPV to potentially aid the therapeutics.  

Dr. Claver Pedzisai Bhunu is currently working as a professor at Department of Mathematics, University of Zimbabwe. Previously he worked as Visiting Professor at Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Venda. He received many awards and published various articles.

Research: Dr. Claver Pedzisai Bhunu research is mainly focused on Mathematical Modelling, Computational and Applied Mathematics, Computer Modelling

Dr. Daniela Iannazzo is currently working at the Department of Electronic Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Engineering of the University of Messina, as University Researcher in Organic Chemistry. She obtained her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1999 and the postgraduate qualification in “Applied Microbiology” in 2001, at the University of Messina. In 2003 she worked as Visiting Professor at the “Departamento de Quimica Asimmetrica” of the Faculty of Science at the University of Zaragoza. She is an author of international patents and many international publications on highly qualified international journals.

Research: Dr. Daniela Iannazzo research work is mainly focused on the synthetic methodologies for organic synthesis, the chemistry of heterocyclic compounds, pericyclic reactions, the chemistry of reactive intermediates and reaction mechanisms with particular attention to the development of antiviral and anticancer compounds. The scientific activity regarded the design and synthesis of nucleoside analogues, inhibitors of reverse transcriptase with isoxazolidine structure and to the development of Diketo acids (DKAs) with 3-ammino-2(5H) furanone structure as HCV NS5b RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase and HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. The recent research activity is focused on the organic functionalization of nanostructured materials for biomedical and materials engineering applications. Great interest is devoted to the development of carbon nanomaterials as drug delivery system for anticancer and antiviral drugs.  

Dr. Diego Andrés Chiappetta is currently working working as an associate Professor at Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry. He completed his PhD at Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (2002-6). He received many awards in his career and published various articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Diego Andrés Chiappetta research is mainly focused on drug delivery “nano”systems, including polymeric micelles and polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery in pediatric HIV, tuberculosis and cancer.

Dr. Shittu Rasaq Olatunji is currently working as Head of Department of HIV/AIDS and Family Medicine at Kwara State Specialist Hospital and as Chief Medical Director of the prestigious Oorelope Hospital (Consultant Specialist Clinics) and National Health Insurance Scheme Accredited (NHIS) Health Care Provider. He is a member of many professional societies and published various articles in international journals. 

Dr. Shuvra Kanti Dey is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University. He completed his PhD at University of Tokyo (2010). He held several positions and received many awards. He published many articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Shuvra Kanti Dey research is mainly focused on:  Virological and molecular epidemiology, evolution of infectious diseases/emerging infectious diseases (especially acute gastroenteritis) in humans and animals .Investigation of interspecies transmission of infection diseses between humans and animals .Detection and genetic characterization of novel viruses from infectious diseases/emerging infectious diseases with unknown etiology .Detection and genetic characterization of rotavirus and enteric viruses in environment .Basic research on pathogenesis of rotavirus and other enteric viruses (VLP production,vaccine developments, vaccine trials)

Dr. Philipos Petros Gile is currently working as a senior lecturer, researcher and senior expert of planning, m&e on hiv/aids programs of Ethiopian universities’ partnership forum, addis ababa, ethiopia. He has twenty years work experience in teaching, research, public –private &ngo sectors. He published more than 20 articles. 

Research: Dr. Philipos Petros Gile research is mainly focused on HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health, Public Health, Sexuality and Sexual Behavior, Healthcare Management, HRM, Health Policy, Africa, Developing Countries, Healthcare system in the developed world, Policy, Organizational Behavior and Management practices.

Dr. Makobetsa Khati is currently working as Head of the Emerging Health Technologies Department at CSIR Biosciences. He is also an Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town. He has eight patents and received many awards in his career. He published various articles in international journals.   

Research: Dr. Makobetsa Khati research is mainly focused on HIV-host pathogen interaction with a view to develop novel ways to prevent HIV infection and also to develop point-of-care diagnostics. 

Dr. Nandadulal Bairagi is currently working as an associate professor at Centre for Mathematical Biology and Ecology, Jadavpur University. He completed his PhD in Applied Mathematics. He published various articles in international journals.    

Research: Dr. Nandadulal Bairagi research is mainly focused on Mathematical ecology, Epidemiology and evolution of infectious diseases, Host-pathogen interactions, Optimal harvesting of biological resources, Nonlinear dynamics and Delay-differential equations.

Dr. Jagriti Narang Malhotra is currently working as an assistant professor at Amity University, Noida. She completed her PhD in Biochemistry & Genetics at Maharishi Dayanand University. She published various articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Jagriti Narang Malhotra research is mainly focused on: Basic Molecular Biology Techniques like DNA & RNA isolation from different cancerous tissue, electrophoresis techniques, PCR etc. In vitro plant tissue culture techniques and media preparation. Purification and characterization of enzymes from different sources. SDS-PAGE and Native PAGE for protein separation. Quantitative and qualitative estimations of proteins and nucleic acids through various methods. Immobilization of Enzymes with various techniques like covalent coupling, electrostatic interactions etc.

Dr. Helena Nunes Cabaço is currently working as a research associate at Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon. She received many honors and published various articles. 

Research: Dr. Helena Nunes Cabaço research is mainly focused on the study of the human thymus in health and in the context of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections. She has been exploring HIV-2 infection of the human thymus as a model to investigate the establishment of viral reservoirs and the control of HIV replication.

Dr. Tzi Bun NG is currently working as a professor at Department of Biochemistry, Chinese University of Hong Kong. He completed his undergraduate studies in the University of Hong Kong and was then awarded a Commonwealth scholarship to pursue his PhD studies in the Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. He received postdoctoral training at the University of California in San Francisco, USA and conducted sabbatical research at Imperial College London UK. He has authored over 600 papers registered in Pub Med and over 80 invited book chapters. He has served as reviewer for many journals.

Research: Dr. Tzi Bun NG research interests include the action of ribosome inactivating proteins, and milk proteins on HIV enzymes, and the biochemistry of hormones, lectins, antifungal proteins, ribosome inactivating proteins, enzymes, polysaccharides and protease inhibitors derived from plants, medicinal plants, fungi and animals.   ​

Dr. Gregory H. Taylor is currently working as an associate professor at Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and as Senior Faculty Member at Institute of Human Virology. He received many honors and awards in his career. He published many articles in international journals. 

Research: Dr. Gregory H. Taylor research is mainly focused on HIV and pregnancy, HIV in women and HPV related diseases. 

Dr. Jack Ho Wong is currently working as a research associate at school of biomedical sciences, Chinese university of Hong Kong. He received his doctoral and postdoctoral training from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has published around 90 papers in peer-reviewed journals and over 30 invited book chapters. He has reviewed manuscripts submitted to journals for publication and research grant applications from funding agencies in Poland and Singapore.

Research: Dr. Jack Ho Wong research interests encompass the action of ribosome inactivating proteins, milk proteins and antimicrobial proteins on HIV enzymes, antimicrobial proteins and peptides of diverse origins such as chitinases, defensins, thaumatin-like proteins, hemagglutinins, laccases, trypsin inhibitors cathelicidins, lactoferricin, and lactoferrampin.