Avindra Nath MD

Biographical Sketch:

Dr. Avindra Nath is a physician–scientist who specializes in the field of neuro-immunology and neurovirology. His research is focused on the clinical manifestations, pathophysiology and treatment of emerging neurological infections with a focus on HIV infection. In recent years, he has studied the neurological complications of endogenous retroviruses, Ebola, Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2 and conducts research on patients with undiagnosed neuroinflammatory disorders. He is internationally recognized for his contributions and has served on advisory committees to the NIH, CDC, FDA and WHO. The International Society of NeuroVirology has honored Dr. Nath with the prestigious Pioneer in NeuroVirology Award for his contributions to HIV neuropathogenesis and elected him as the President of the Society. He received the Wybran award from the Society of Neuroimmune Pharmacology for contributions to Neurovirology. He also received the NIH Director’s award and the HHS Secretary’s award for his work on Ebola infection.

Dr. Nath is the Clinical Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at NIH, where he is also Chief of the Section of Infections of the Nervous System, Director of the Translational Center for Neurological Sciences, and Director of the Neuroimmunology and Neurovirology Fellowship Program.

Dr. Nath received his medical degree from Christian Medical College in Ludhiana, India and completed a residency in neurology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, followed by a fellowship in multiple sclerosis and neurovirology at the same institution. He then completed a fellowship in neuro-AIDS at NINDS. Having held faculty positions at the University of Manitoba and the University of Kentucky, he joined Johns Hopkins University in 2002 as Professor of Neurology and Director of the Division of Neuroimmunology and Neurological Infections. He joined NIH in 2011.

Positions:
Clinical Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Chief, Section of Infections of the Nervous System; Director of the Translational Center for Neurological Sciences, National Institutes of Health,Bethesda, Maryland

Degrees:
MD: Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, India

Postgraduate Training:
Fellowship (multiple sclerosis and neurovirology): University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Fellowship (Neuro-AIDS): National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, Maryland

Research Interests:
Molecular mechanisms and pathophysiology of retroviral infections of the nervous system and development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these diseases