Rachel Williams

Research Interests

I am studying the effects of cocaine and HIV-1 on oxidative stress in astrocytes linked to cytokine/chemokine dysregulation in HAD.

The Buch lab is interested in studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HIV associated dementia (HAD) and the mechanisms by which cocaine exacerbates this CNS disease.  HAD is a form of CNS impairment that affects 9-11% of HIV-1 infected individuals.  It has been well documented that drug abuse, especially that of cocaine, is able to enhance the progression of HIV-1 associated CNS impairment.