Researcher Spotlight: Matt Gardner

What is your professional background?
I received my Bachelor of Science degree in immunology and infectious disease from Penn State University and my PhD in virology from Harvard University. I did my postdoctoral training in Mike Farzan’s lab at The Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, FL. I was also a Ruth L. Kirschstein Fellow from 2016-2018 and received a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award in 2019.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I am an assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and an affiliate scientist at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in the Division of Microbiology and Immunology. My mentor is Dr. Guido Silvestre.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My research focuses on using gene therapy to prevent and treat HIV infection. Specifically, I work on engineering new adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to express HIV inhibitors from muscle tissue. AAV is a very promising gene therapy vector, recently getting FDA approval for its first medical application. Using gene therapy vectors to treat other diseases may provide an alternative to patients taking daily antiretrovirals or needing monthly antibody infusions.

What do you like most about Emory?
Even though I have only been at Emory for a short period of time, I am already in talks to be part of multiple cross-discipline collaborations. The huge amount of translational and clinical applications of biological research is invigorating.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
For shows, I enjoy watching ‘Bob’s Burgers,’ ‘Archer,’ and ‘Westworld,’ and for movies ‘The Prestige,’ ‘Lucky Number Slevin,’ and the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I use my spare time for playing video games, watching sports, going on walks with my wife, and volunteering at animal shelters.

What is a fun fact about you?
Even though I have a fear of heights, I have gone sky diving twice.