Our Research

Our research group seeks to understand and address the mechanisms underlying damage to the central nervous system in HIV infection, and the establishment and reduction of viral reservoirs in the CNS. We work in diverse modalities, and with a wide range of collaborators, to study the processes of immune activation, neuroprotection, and neuropathogenesis that occur during acute, primary, and chronic HIV. 

Current Lab Members
(For a complete list, please see People)
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Principal Investigator: 
Serena Spudich, MD, MA

Fellows: 
Shelli Farhadian, MD, PhD
Payal Patel, MD

Research Scientist: 
Jennifer Chiarella, BS

Medical Students:
Ryan Handoko, BS
Aveline Xiang Li, BA
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Postgraduate Associates: 
Rachela Calvi, BA
​Michelle Chintanaphol, BS

Contact Information
Serena Spudich, MD, MA
300 George St., Rm. 8300C
New Haven, CT 06511
serena.spudich@yale.edu
​(203) 737-5309

News

• Congratulations are in order for our illustrious fellows!
  • Dr. Shelli Farhadian received the American Federation for Aging Research: Irene Diamond Postdoctoral Transition Award.
  • Dr. Payal Patel was awarded the Brown-Coxe Fellowship.
  • Dr. Payal Patel was awarded the Swebilius Foundation Grant for research in neurologic outcomes following neonatal sepsis. 
  • Dr. Shelli Farhadian received the Yale Pepper Center Research and Education Core Pilot Award for her ongoing work on single-cell RNA sequencing of cells in the CSF.
  • Dr. Shelli Farhadian received the K23 Mentored Career Development Award from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH) ​
• Dr. Serena Spudich delivered opening remarks and presented her abstract, "HIV-1 Persists in CSF Cells  in Half of Individuals on Long-Term ART" 
• Dr. Shelli Farhadian, fellow in Infectious Diseases, presented her poster, "Single-Cell RNA Sequencing to Characterize CSF In Virologically Suppressed HIV"
• Dr. Serena Spudich will be spending 6 months in London, England on sabbatical in order to further her studies.

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