Monica D Reece

Resourceful PhD candidate passionate about advancing knowledge in viral pathogenesis and ecology through high-quality research. Self-motivated professional with excellent communication, planning and problem solving abilities.

• American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Member [2024]
• International AIDS Society (IAS) Member [2022 – Current]
• Emory Microbiology Student Association (EMSA) Secretary [2021 - 22] and Treasurer [2022 - Current]
• Emory MMG Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Event Planning Committee Lead [2021–23]
• Western Carolina University Member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society [2015 – Current]
• Member of Western Carolina University Honors College [2014-19]
• Member of Western Carolina University Biology Club [2016 – 17]
• Member of Western Carolina University FEM in STEM Club [2018]

1. Reece MD, Zhang Z, Ribeiro RM, Kulpa DA, White E, Yoon J, Taylor RR, Lennox JL, Marconi VC, Gavegnano C. Ruxolitinib-Mediated HIV-1 Reservoir Decay in A5336 Phase 2a Trial. (Under review at Nature Communications Medicine)

2. Zhang Z, Reece MD, Roa S, Tyor W, Franklin DR, Letendre SL, Marconi VC, Anderson AM, Gavegnano C. The Identification of Intact HIV Proviral DNA from Human Cerebrospinal Fluid. (Under review at Neurotherapeutics)

3. Lahiri CD, Reece MD, Bedi B, Shaw R, Collins S, Mehta CC, Inersoll J, Ofotokun I, Gavegnano C. Rectal HIV Persistence is Associated with Systemic Inflammation During Early Antiretroviral Therapy. (In preparation)

4. Ojuri V, Raheel H, Reece MD, Gavegnano C, Im E, Yount KM. Gender, Country Income Class, and Leadership Disparities in NIH-Funded Global Research Training Grants. (In preparation)

5. Zhang Z, Scanlan A, Koneru R, Richardson Morrell C, Reece MD, Edwards E, Roa S, Gavegnano C, Bimonte-Nelson H, Arbiser J, Tyor W. Honokiol Hexafluoro Confers Reversal of Neuropathological Markers of HIV Infection in a Murine SCID Model. Neurotherapeutics (2024) 21(2):e00329. PMID:38388224.

6. Reece MD, Song C, Hancock SC, Pereira Ribeiro S, Kulpa DA, Gavegnano C. Repurposing Bcl-2 and Jak 1/2 inhibitors: Cure and treatment of HIV and other viral infections. Frontiers in Immunology (2022) 13:1033672. PMID: 36569952.

7. Scanlan A, Zhang Z, Koneru Rajeth, Reece M, Gavegnano C, Anderson AM, Tyor W. A Rationale and Approach to the Development of Specific Treatments for HIV Associated Neurocognitive Impairment. Microorganisms (2022) 10(11):2244. PMID: 36422314.

8. Wonderlich ER, Reece MD, Kulpa DA. Ex vivo differentiation of resting CD4+ T lymphocytes enhances detection of replication competent HIV-1 in viral outgrowth assays. (2022). Methods in Molecular Biology. Springer, New York, NY, USA. PMID: 34985673.

9. Reece MD, Taylor RR, Song C, Gavegnano C. Targeting macrophage dysregulation for viral infections: Novel targets for immunomodulators. Frontiers in Immunology (2021) 12:768695. PMID:34790202.

International Conferences

1. Reece MD, Zhang Z, Ribeiro RM, Kulpa DA, White E, Yoon J, Taylor RR, Lennox JL, Marconi VC, Gavegnano C. "Ruxolitinib-mediated HIV-1 reservoir decay in A5336 phase 2a trial". Themed Discussion Panelist and oral presenter. Abstract 521. 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Denver, CO. March 3-6, 2024.

2. Reece MD, Zhang Z, Ribeiro RM, Kulpa DA, White E, Yoon J, Taylor RR, Lennox JL, Marconi VC, Gavegnano C. "Ruxolitinib-mediated HIV-1 reservoir decay in A5336 phase 2a trial". Poster Presentation. Abstract 521. 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Denver, CO. March 3-6, 2024.

3. Reece MD, Zhang Z, Pereira-Ribeiro S, Sekaly R, Kulpa DA, White E, Yoon J, Schinazi RF, Marconi VC, Gavegnano C. “Ruxolitinib-mediated HIV-1 reservoir decay in A5336 phase IIa trial”. Oral Presentation. IAS HIV Cure & Immunotherapy Forum (IAS2023). Brisbane, Australia. July 22, 2023.

4. Reece MD, Zhang Z, Pereira-Ribeiro S, Sekaly R, Kulpa DA, White E, Yoon J, Schinazi RF, Marconi VC, Gavegnano C. “Ruxolitinib-mediated HIV-1 reservoir decay in A5336 phase IIa trial”. Poster Presentation. 12th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS2023). Brisbane, Australia. July 23-26, 2023.

5. Reece MD, Bowen N, Kim B, Gavegnano C. “Rufinamide-induced autophagy cell death in HIV-1-infected macrophages”. ePoster Presentation. 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS2022). Montreal, Canada. July 29 – Aug 2, 2022.

6. Reece MD, Bowen N, Kim B, Gavegnano C. “Rufinamide-induced autophagy cell death in HIV-1-infected macrophages”. ePoster Presentation. Viruses2022. Virtual. April 5-8 2022.

7. Lahiri CD, Titanji K, Reece MD, Taylor RK, Shaw R, Collins S, Mehta CC, Ingersoll, Ofotokun I, Ribeiro SP, Sekaly RP, Gavegnano C. “Rectal tissue HIV RNA is associated with systemic inflammation in persons with HIV” [CROI Abstract 232]. In Special Issue: Abstracts from the 2022 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Topics in Antiviral Medicine, March 2022; 30(1s): 87. *

National and Regional Conferences

1. Reece MD, Ramirez L, Kim B, Gavegnano C. “Elucidating potential anti-viral mechanisms of baricitinib against HIV-1”. Poster Presentation. 26th West Coast Retrovirus Meeting (WCR). Palm Springs, CA. Oct 6-8, 2022.

2. Reece MD, Ramirez L, Kim B, Gavegnano C. “Elucidating potential anti-viral mechanisms of baricitinib against HIV-1”. Oral Presentation. 16thSoutheastern Regional Virology Conference (SERVC). Atlanta, GA. Sept 23-25, 2022.

3. Tyor, W.; Scanlon, A.; Koneru, R.; Haile, W.; Reece, M.; Gavegnano, C. “Treatment of HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders Mice with Curcumin Improves Cognitive Deficits” Poster Presentation, American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Virtual, April 12-22, 2021.

4. Reece, M.D.; Gainey, M.D..; De Silva, C.R. “Inhibition Studies of Actinobacteria and Actinobacteriophages against ZnO Nanoparticles” Poster Presentation, 70th Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS), Augusta, GA, October 31- November 3, 2018. *

5. Reece, M.D.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Evaluation of Antimicrobial Properties of ZnO Nanoparticle-Modified Cotton Textile Materials” Oral Presentation, 70th Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS), Augusta, GA, October 31- November 3, 2018. *

6. Reece, M.D.; Bose, I.; Gainey, M.D.; De Silva, C.R. “Development of ZnO Nanoparticle-Infused Cotton and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effects on Bacterial Species and Actinobacteriophages” Oral Presentation, 3rd Molecules in the Mountains, Cullowhee, NC, April 12, 2018.

7. Reece, M.D.; Gainey, M.D.; De Silva, C.R. “Inhibition of Actinobacteria and Actinobacteriophages by ZnO Nanoparticles” Poster Presentation, 3rd Molecules in the Mountains, Cullowhee, NC, April 12, 2018.

8. Reece, M.D.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of ZnO Nanoparticle-Infused Cotton Textile Using Bacterial Agar Diffusion Studies” Oral Presentation, 32nd National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Edmond, OK, April 4-7, 2018.

9. Reece, M.D.; Gainey, M.D.; De Silva, C.R. “Inhibition of Actinobacteria and Actinobacteriophages by ZnO Nanoparticles” Poster Presentation, 32nd National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Edmond, OK, April 4-7, 2018.

10. Reece, M.D.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Structural and Antimicrobial Property Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles under Different Reaction Conditions” Poster Presentation, 69th Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS), Charlotte, NC, November 7-11, 2017. *

11. Reece, M.D.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Cotton Textile-Modified with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Studies” Oral Presentation, 69th Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS), Charlotte, NC, November 7-11, 2017. *

12. Brasecker, K.; Reece, M.D.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. "Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with Europium (III) Metal Ion Doping for Potential Antimicrobial Applications" Poster Presentation, 69th Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS), Charlotte, NC, November 7-11, 2017. *

13. Reece, M.D.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Potential Antimicrobial Applications” Poster presentation, 2nd Southern Conference Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF), Spartanburg, SC, October 27-29, 2017.

14. Reece, M.D.; Dragan, N.A.; Kline, H.N.; Printz, S.; Huffman, C.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Studies of Chemically Modified Textile Materials using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Potential Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections” Poster Presentation, 31st National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Memphis, TN, April 6-8, 2017.

15. Reece, M.D.; Dragan, N.A.; Kline, H.N.; Printz, S.; Huffman, C.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Studies of Chemically Modified Textile Materials using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Potential Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections” Poster presentation, 1st Southern Conference Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF), Spartanburg, SC, October 28-29, 2016.

16. Reece, M.D.; Dragan, N.A.; Kline, H.N.; Printz, S.; Huffman, C.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Studies of Chemically Modified Textile Materials using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Potential Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections” Poster presentation, 68th Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS), Columbia, SC, October 23-26, 2016. *

Local Conferences

1. Reece MD, Zhang Z, Ribeiro SP, Sekaly R, Kulpa DA, Yoon J, White E, Schinazi RF, Marconi V, Gavegnano C. “Ruxolitinib-mediated HIV-1 reservoir decay in A5336 phase 2a trial”. Poster Presentation. Reversing Immune Dysfunction for HIV Eradication (RID-HIV) Collaboratory Meeting. Atlanta, GA. Oct 15-17, 2023.

2. Reece MD, Zhang Z, Ribeiro SP, Sekaly R, Kulpa DA, Yoon J, White E, Schinazi RF, Marconi V, Gavegnano C. “Ruxolitinib-mediated HIV-1 reservoir decay in A5336 phase 2a trial”. Poster Presentation. Emory Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department Symposium. Atlanta, GA. September 22, 2023.

3. Reece MD, Zhang Z, Ribeiro SP, Sekaly R, Kulpa D, Marconi V, Gavegnano C. “Ruxolitinib-mediated HIV-1 reservoir decay in A5336 phase 2a trial”. Poster Presentation. Reversing Immune Dysfunction for HIV Eradication (RID-HIV) Collaboratory Meeting. Palm Springs, CA. Oct 9-11, 2022.

4. Reece MD, Bowen N, Kim B, Gavegnano C. “Rufinamide-induced autophagy cell death in HIV-1-infected macrophages”. Poster Presentation. Atlanta VA Research Day 1st Annual Robert J. Pollet Memorial Lecture. Emory University, Atlanta, GA. May 19, 2022.

5. Reece MD, Bowen N, Kim B, Gavegnano C. “Rufinamide-induced autophagy cell death in HIV-1-infected macrophages”. Poster Presentation. DSAC Student Research Symposium. Emory University, Atlanta, GA. April 27, 2022.

6. Reece, M.D.; Risener, C.; Pereira, S.R.; Sekaly, R.P.; Quave, C.; Gavegnano, C. “Novel Natural Product Extracts as Immunomodulators to Target COVID-19-Induced Immune Dysregulation” Poster Presentation, COVID-19 Response: Celebrating the Contributions of Emory Graduate Students Symposium, Atlanta, GA, November 12, 2021.

7. Reece, M.D.; Dragan, Gainey, M.D.; De Silva, C.R. “Inhibition of Actinobacteria and Actinobacteriophages by ZnO Nanoparticles” Oral presentation, 8th North Carolina Honors Association Annual Conference (NCHA), High Point, NC, September 28-29, 2018.

8. Reece, M.D.; Gainey, M.D.; De Silva, C.R. “Inhibition of Actinobacteria and Actinobacteriophages by ZnO Nanoparticles” Oral Presentation, 26th Annual Graduate Research Symposium, Cullowhee, NC, March 22, 2018.

9. Reece, M.D.; Gainey, M.D.; De Silva, C.R. “Inhibition of Actinobacteria and Actinobacteriophages by ZnO Nanoparticles” Poster Presentation, 11th Research and Scholarship Celebration (RASC), Cullowhee, NC, March 21, 2018.

10. Reece, M.D.; Dragan, N.A.; Kline, H.N.; Printz, S.; Huffman, C.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Studies of Chemically Modified Textile Materials using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Potential Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections” Poster Presentation, 10th Research and Scholarship Celebration (RASC), Cullowhee, NC, March 29, 2017.

11. Reece, M.D.; Dragan, N.A.; Kline, H.N.; Printz, S.; Huffman, C.; Bose, I.; De Silva, C.R. “Preparation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Possessing Antimicrobial Activity and Development of an Adhesive Cotton Textile for Potential Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections” Poster presentation, 1st Summer Undergraduate Research Program Symposium (SURP), Cullowhee, NC, July 15, 2016.