Smita S. Iyer

Dr. Smita Iyer is an infectious disease immunologist whose lab focuses on understanding the immunological and molecular mechanisms of CD4 T cell help in antibody responses, particularly in the context of HIV vaccines. Her research also explores the role of CD4 T cells in neuroinflammation, investigating viral infections like HIV and neurodegenerative diseases. The lab aims to understand immune responses that support the development of long-lived antibodies, using this knowledge to guide rational vaccine design. Additionally, her group is dedicated to uncovering the cellular basis of neuroinflammation in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.