Wei Jiang

Dr. Wei Jiang is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Immunology at the College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). His research focuses on microbiome dynamics, B cell/autoantibody mechanisms, and disease pathogenesis related to HIV, addictive drugs, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). He leads multiple NIH-funded grants, including NIDA R01 studies on HIV-drug interactions and the oral microbiome's role in neurocognitive outcomes. Dr. Jiang's work bridges immunology, virology, and neurology, with a particular emphasis on how microbial translocation and autoantibodies impact HIV treatment outcomes and immune reconstitution. He has been recognized with the 2019 Dean's High Impact Research Publication Award for his study on Staphylococcus-driven autoantibody production in HIV disease.

Key grants include investigations into cocaine-mediated HIV persistence, oral microbiome effects on Alzheimer’s and HIV-associated cognitive decline, and mechanisms of immunological failure in ART-treated HIV patients. His lab collaborates widely, with projects involving clinical trials and translational research. Dr. Jiang’s work also explores the immunological and neurological impacts of cannabis use in HIV populations, linking microbial dysbiosis to brain health.

Publications highlight his contributions to understanding anti-CD4 autoantibody pathology, microbial translocation markers, and vaccine-induced autoimmunity. He serves as a PI on MUSC institutional grants and VA initiatives, advancing translational studies to improve therapies for HIV-infected individuals with comorbid substance use disorders.