Current research:HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) can occur when human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects the central nervous system and impairs cognitive abilities. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can improve cognitive functions, however, neurocognitive disorders can still arise either due to persistent replication of HIV or from immune activation of macrophages and microglia. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of non-human primates serves as a model for human AIDS pathogenesis. SIV infection of rhesus macaques from a neurovirulent strain can result in SIV encephalitis (SIVE/neuroAIDS), which is reminiscent of encephalitis in humans. With this model, I am interested in identifying which cellular subsets of the brain serve as potential viral reservoirs.