The Ragon Institute is proud to recognize Merantha Moodley, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Ragon faculty Zaza Ndhlovu, PhD, who has been selected as one of six recipients of the IAS/ANRS Lange/van Tongeren Prize for Young Investigators. 

Her exceptional work on the abstract titled “Spatial characterization and phenotypic profile of macrophage HIV reservoirs in lymph node and gut tissues from subtype C HIV infection” has earned her this honor at AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference, held in Munich, Germany this past week from July 22-26.

The International AIDS Society (IAS) and the National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (ANRS) in France jointly fund the Lange/van Tongeren Prize to recognize and support young researchers who demonstrate innovation, originality, and quality in HIV research. Moodley’s research exemplifies these qualities, making strides in understanding HIV reservoirs and contributing to the global effort to combat HIV/AIDS.

The Ndhlovu Lab uses lymph node and large blood donations from a cohort of individuals who initiate therapy immediately upon diagnosis with acute HIV infection. The lab’s primary goal is to identify where the HIV reservoir resides within tissues and to define the immune components that mediate HIV reservoir suppression. This work is critical to efforts to develop a cure for HIV.

As part of the award, Moodley will receive funding that not only recognizes her outstanding contributions to HIV research but also provides financial support to further her innovative work.

Congratulations, Dr. Moodley!