Cynthia Monaco

Cynthia Monaco, M.D., Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center with dual appointments in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Microbiology and Immunology. She received her MD and PhD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and completed her residency and fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis.

• Specializes in Microbiome and Virome Studies in health and disease
• Joint faculty in Medicine and Microbiology
• Principal Investigator of the Monaco Lab, focusing on HIV, cancer, and neurocognitive decline

Her research explores bacterial and viral microbiome contributions to inflammatory states using next-generation sequencing. Key projects include:

• Microbiome/virome in HIV-associated neurocognitive decline
• Vaginal virome interactions in HIV-positive women
• Viral contributions to cancer via collaboration with the National Cancer Institute

The 15 most recent articles reflect her expertise in:

• HIV-related microbiome changes
• Vaccine trials (HIV/COVID-19)
• Mucosal inflammation in immunocompromised states
• Cancer virology and early biomarker discovery

Her lab collaborates with:

• Dr. David Adler on female reproductive tract microbiota
• Dr. Giovanni Schifitto on HIV neurocognitive effects
• National Cancer Institute for viral cancer biomarkers

Current students include Graduate Student Ferralita Madere, while alumni involve Medical Students Angelina Winbush and Brie Barr.