Binhua Ling MD, PhD

Dr. Ling is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine. Her specific research interests include investigating persistent HIV tissue reservoirs (focusing on the gut and CNS reservoirs), and developing new strategies such as therapeutic vaccines to find a functional cure in the absence of antiretroviral therapy, or a sterile cure that can completely eradicate viral reservoirs in the body using the unique model of SIV/SHIV infection in rhesus macaques of Chinese origin. She is also interested in investigation of immune correlates of protection against SIV infection in macaques of elite controllers and long-term nonprogressors that closely mimic elite controllers and long-term nonprogressors of HIV-1 infection. She has a broad background in molecular virology, immunology, and work experience for over 15 years in nonhuman primate models with specific training and expertise in key research areas of HIV/AIDS. She has performed several SIV virologic and immunologic studies, demonstrating a record of successful and productive research projects. She has been awarded internal and external grants: Tulane Research Enhancement grant, COBRE pilot grant, AmfAR grant, NIH R01 subawards and R01 grants. She has served as an ad hoc reviewer on special emphasis panels for NIH and other organizations. She contributes to the mission of the TNPRC by performing research on infectious diseases and training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at the Center. She also collaborates with others on vaccine and HIV cure/reservoir eradication studies.