Institute of Human Virology (IHV) is the first Institute at University of Maryland School of Medicine
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The Institute of Human Virology (IHV) is the first center in the United States - perhaps the world - to combine the disciplines of basic science, epidemiology and clinical research in a concerted effort to speed the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for a wide variety of chronic and deadly viral and immune disorders - most notably HIV, the cause of AIDS. Formed in 1996 as a partnership between the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, the University System of Maryland and the University of Maryland Medical System, IHV is an institute of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is home to some of the most globally-recognized and world-renowned experts in the field of human virology. The Institute, with its various laboratory and patient care facilities, is uniquely housed in a 100,000-square-foot building located in the center of Baltimore and our nation’s HIV/AIDS pandemic. IHV creates an environment where multidisciplinary research, education and clinical programs work closely together to expedite the scientific understanding of HIV/AIDS pathogenesis and to develop therapeutic interventions to make AIDS and virally-caused cancers manageable, if not curable, diseases. A particular focus of IHV includes learning how to utilize the body's natural chemistry for its own therapeutic potential and pursuing biologically-based treatment approaches that are less toxic to the body and, often, less costly to the patient and public. IHV also pursues the development of effective therapeutic and preventative vaccines, science's greatest hope in putting an end to the AIDS pandemic. IHV's more than 300 employees include 73 faculty whose research efforts are focused in the area of chronic human viral infection and disease. At present, more than 75 percent of the Institute's clinical and research effort is targeted at HIV infection, but also includes the Hepatitis C virus, herpes viruses and cancer research.
02/05/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Tuesday for an engaging and informative lecture by Dr. Richard Sterling, Professor of Medicine and Section Chief of Hepatology at VCU Health
Dr. Sterling shared expert insights into the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), highlighting emerging therapies, clinical trial data, and practical implications for patient care.
01/23/2026
New research published in Nature Communication reflects the strength of collaboration between the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria and University of Cambridge
This study advances understanding of mpox transmission by showing that exposure can occur without recognized illness—and that immunity from historic smallpox vaccination continues to shape how the virus circulates in communities today.
Dr. Alash'le Abimiku, Director of Laboratory Services at Ciheb Global and Executive Director of IHV Nigeria, played a key role in this work, bringing together cutting-edge laboratory science, population-based surveillance, and trusted partnerships to generate evidence that strengthens public health response in Nigeria and beyond.
This collaboration highlights the power of shared expertise across institutions and continents—transforming archived samples and genomic data into insights that inform smarter surveillance, targeted vaccination strategies, and more resilient health systems.
👏 We celebrate our partners at IHVN and Cambridge University for their leadership and commitment to community-centered global health research.
The mpox virus appears to be circulating silently in parts of Nigeria, in many cases without the symptoms typically associated with the disease, according to
01/10/2026
✨Looking forward to season 2!
What can 🌍global HIV care in Zambia teach us about building stronger, more equitable health systems in Baltimore?
In our final episode of Season 1, Cassidy Claassen shares how global health lessons—⚓achored in trust—can shape better patient care both abroad and here at home.
🙏🏽Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of the conversation this season.
✨ Season Two ✨launches this spring—stay tuned for more stories from the front lines of science, care, and community.
By centering lived experiences, this research underscores the need for context-specific, patient-informed strategies to strengthen prevention of MTCT and support healthier outcomes. Well done!
Improving access and retention in programs aimed at reducing the transmission of HIV from mothers to children is a key focus area for HIV care and prevention. Despite these efforts, retention in th...
12/15/2025
This , we invite you to 👀watch and reflect.
The investiture ceremony of Man Charurat, PhD, MHS offers meaningful insights on leadership, research, and the ongoing global response to HIV.🌍
The University of Maryland School of Medicine serves as the anchor for a large academic health center which aims to provide the best medical education, condu...
12/09/2025
Ciheb Global leaders from Tanzania, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia gathered in , MD for the annual meeting at the Institute of Human Virology .
Joined by colleagues from across the network, the team spent the week strengthening collaboration for the year ahead. The meeting also included a special moment of celebration as attendees witnessed the investiture of Manhattan E. Charurat, PhD, MHS, Director of Global, as the Homer and Martha Gudelsky Distinguished Professor in Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
The gathering highlighted Ciheb Global’s commitment to improving the human condition globally, safeguarding communities against health-related threats, and promoting health outcomes worldwide.
CIHEB Initiative Ciheb Kenya Ciheb-Zambia UMB-Ciheb Nigeria
12/05/2025
As we end the first week of , we’re excited to share a new episode of the podcast!
This week, we talk with The Thrive Program Baltimore’s Eric Anderson and Robyn Palmerio about the power of patient-centered care. Their passion and dedication remind us what World AIDS Awareness Month is all about: compassion, connection, and community.
🎧 Listen to the episode and join us in honoring this month of awareness and action.
>>LINK IN COMMENTS
12/02/2025
We closed out by celebrating Manhattan E. Charurat, PhD, MHS, who was investured as the Homer and Martha Gudelsky Distinguished Professor in Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Speakers, including Institute of Human Virology Co-Founder William Blattner, MD, highlighted his research on mother-to-child HIV transmission, mobile testing innovations, and the more than
$200 million in global health partnerships he has brought to UMSOM.
12/01/2025
IHV is proud to share this IAS video on the importance of person-centred care in the global HIV response. We’re especially pleased to see Ciheb Global 's Dr. Marie-Claude Lavoie featured alongside community advocates highlighting why putting people first is essential to ending the HIV epidemic.
👥 Watch the video to hear their insights.
The IAS Person-Centred Care (PCC) programme improves health services by prioritizing the integration of health concerns and the responsiveness of healthcare ...
12/01/2025
Today on World AIDS Day, we join the global call to “Overcome Disruption and Transform the AIDS Response.” At IHV, we’re proud to support research, innovation, and community partnerships that move us closer to ending HIV for good.
11/24/2025
🚨 New Research Published! 🚨
Researchers from IHV have identified a key mechanism that may explain why HIV continues to persist in the body — even with highly effective antiretroviral therapy.
Researchers from the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered how a specific type of immune cell may contribute to the persistence of HIV infections. The finding offers new insight into why the virus remains difficult to cure even with effe...
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The Institute of Human Virology (IHV) is the first center in the United States - perhaps the world - to combine the disciplines of basic science, epidemiology and clinical research in a concerted effort to speed the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for a wide variety of chronic and deadly viral and immune disorders - most notably HIV, the cause of AIDS.
Formed in 1996 as a partnership between the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, the University System of Maryland and the University of Maryland Medical System, IHV is an institute of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is home to some of the most globally-recognized and world-renowned experts in the field of human virology. IHV was co-founded by Robert Gallo, MD, director of the of the IHV, William Blattner, MD, retired since 2016 and formerly associate director of the IHV and director of IHV’s Division of Epidemiology and Prevention and Robert Redfield, MD, resigned in March 2018 to become director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and formerly associate director of the IHV and director of IHV’s Division of Clinical Care and Research. In addition to the two Divisions mentioned, IHV is also comprised of a Basic Science Division, Vaccine Research Division, Immunotherapy Division, Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB) and four Scientific Core Facilities.
The Institute, with its various laboratory and patient care facilities, is uniquely housed in a 250,000-square-foot building located in the center of Baltimore and our nation’s HIV/AIDS pandemic. IHV creates an environment where multidisciplinary research, education, and clinical programs work closely together to expedite the scientific understanding of HIV/AIDS pathogenesis and to develop therapeutic interventions to make AIDS and virally-caused cancers manageable, if not curable, diseases.
A particular focus of IHV includes learning how to utilize the body's natural chemistry for its own therapeutic potential and pursuing biologically-based treatment approaches that are less toxic to the body and, often, less costly to the patient and public. IHV also pursues the development of effective therapeutic and preventative vaccines, science's greatest hope in putting an end to the AIDS pandemic.L
IHV's more than 300 employees include more than 80 faculty whose research efforts are focused in the area of chronic human viral infection and disease. At present, more than 75 percent of the Institute's clinical and research effort is targeted at HIV infection, but also includes hepatitis C virus, human T cell leukemia viruses 1 and 2, human papillomavirus, herpes viruses and cancer research. IHV’s patient base has grown from just 200 patients to approximately 5,000 in Baltimore and more than 2,000,000 in African and Caribbean nations.
