NAME

Hill, Martin D., PhD.                         

TITLE

Associate Professor, Pharmacology

DEGREE

BS,BA

PhD

Postdoctoral  

Postdoctoral

YEAR (s )

1976-80

1984-90

1989-91

1991-94 

Biology, Psychology

Pharmacology   

HIV   

AIDS, Molecular Biology

New Mexico State University  

George Washington University   

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles  

University of Miami         

Research Interest

I have been researching HIV since receiving my PhD from George Washington University in 1989. My laboratory is engaged in two projects. First, I have been performing metaanalyses of HIV evolution. These studies use a database of genetic sequences from studies that examine the evolution of HIV over the course of disease. In the years immediately following infection with HIV, most people are asymptomatic. Specific discrete changes occur in the organism over time and the patient begins to show symptoms of immune system breakdown. These site changes can be mapped to the viral genome. The identification of the viral forms that precipitate disease and the timing of their appearance are determined to better understand disease progression and to find potential targets for intervention.

A second project ongoing is an MBRS funded study into the acquisition of drug resistance by HIV as it correlates to adherence to therapy. HIV drug therapy involves multiple medications that need to be taken regularly to avoid unchecked proliferation of virus and immune breakdown. Failure to take medication allows reemergence of the virus. It may also allow for resistance to appear. Sixty patients are being followed both for their medication taking behavior and to determine the emergence of resistant viral forms.

Recent publications:  

Hill, MD.  (2003)  The identification of the source of critical details in confessions.     IJSLL  Forensic Ling.  10:23-61.

Hill, MD, Lorenzo E, and Kumar A.  (2004)  Changes in the human immunodeficiency virus V3 region that correspond with disease progression:  a meta-analysis. 

Virus Res 106(1):27-33.

Lorenzo E, Kumar R, Hill MD, Costas S, Chaudhary S, Tirado G, Yamamura Y and Kumar A. (2004). Genetic Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 Tat before and after Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. AIDS Research nd Human Retroviruses.  (in press)

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