Mauro A. Garcia
HIV persists in the body despite effective treatment because the virus can hide inside long-lived immune cells, forming what is known as the HIV reservoir. If treatment is stopped, virus from this reservoir can rekindle active infection. My research examined which viruses from the reservoir are responsible for causing rebound. We found that rebound typically comes from reservoir viruses that are most resistant to a person’s own antibody response. These findings suggest that targeting these viruses may open a new path toward a functional HIV cure. This work was conducted during my Ph.D. in the laboratories of Drs. Robert and Janet Siliciano.
Questions & Answers
Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?
Johns Hopkins is a global leader in HIV research and offered the opportunity to train with scientists who made foundational discoveries about HIV persistence and cure research.
What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?
It is a great honor to have my work recognized by the Johns Hopkins research community. It is especially meaningful to receive an award named after Dr. David Yue, who is remembered for his scientific excellence and mentorship.
What contributed to your project’s success?
This work was made possible by people living with HIV who generously contributed samples to research. Their participation makes discoveries like this possible. I was also deeply invested in the project; there was rarely a day when I wasn’t thinking about the next experiment or question to pursue.
What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself?
Young Investigators’ Day is a great opportunity to recognize the important contributions that students and fellows make to scientific discovery at Johns Hopkins.
What has been your most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?
Working in such a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment and learning from outstanding mentors and colleagues.
What are your plans over the next year or so?
I recently joined AstraZeneca as a scientist in the Early Vaccines and Immune Therapies group, where I am continuing to work on immune-based strategies to prevent and treat infectious diseases.
Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique.
I was the first in my family to finish high school, and later, the first to graduate from college and earn a Ph.D. That experience has shaped my perspective, and I hope to mentor and support students from similar backgrounds pursuing careers in science.