In our third episode of the BRAIN (Black Researchers Addressing Inequalities in Neuroscience) podcast miniseries, we’re exploring the research being done at the intersection of neuroscience, immunology and pharmacology to investigate HIV. Our guest is Dionna Williams (left), an Associate Professor at Emory University (GA, USA) whose research centers on the neuropharmacology and neuroimmunology of HIV, identifying mechanisms by which HIV antiretroviral therapies cross the blood-brain barrier, the capacity of the brain as a drug-metabolizing organ, and the impact of substance use on treating the brain during HIV. Dionna’s group is also evaluating whether cannabinoids can be used to modulate immune responses to HIV and restore neurologic health. Furthermore, Dionna incorporates studies evaluating biologic contributors that perpetuate HIV health disparities into their research program. Beyond research, Dionna is passionate about supporting trainees from marginalized groups in their scientific journeys. [01:22] What made you want to research the neuropathogenesis of HIV? That’s a great question. It wasn’t planned and a little bit serendipitous. I was introduced to HIV research in college. I participated in a summer program after my sophomore year, and I was assigned there to work on HIV, and I was looking at transmission risk factors, and the project was exciting because I just didn’t know anything about HIV beyond what you just know colloquially. It spurred my interest in immunology, and why different people get sick differently, and why some people with HIV fare better than others. But that was for the summer, and when I came back…
