Cynthia L. Gay

Cynthia L. Gay, MD, MPH serves as Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, where she also directs the UNC HIV Cure Center.

Her educational background:

• Undergraduate: Duke University
• Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Residency: Vanderbilt University
• Fellowship: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• MPH: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Gay specializes in HIV cure strategies and acute HIV infection, with significant contributions to COVID-19 vaccine development through Phase 3 trials. Her translational research focuses on novel immunotherapeutic approaches within national networks including the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), HIV Prevention Trials Network, and HIV Vaccine Trials Network, emphasizing clinical trial methodology and vaccine efficacy.

As site Principal Investigator for Moderna and Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials, she leads critical pandemic response research while maintaining leadership in HIV therapeutic networks. Her work bridges clinical practice with translational science to advance cure strategies.

At the UNC HIV Cure Center, Dr. Gay oversees multidisciplinary teams conducting cutting-edge clinical trials targeting HIV eradication, integrating laboratory and clinical research to develop novel therapeutic interventions.