From Scranton to NIAID: In conversation with Jeanne Marrazzo

In this episode of HIV unmuted, host Juan Michael Porter II sits down with Jeanne Marrazzo, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), in a conversation that goes beyond the headlines and deep into the heart of HIV research and advocacy. 

Dr Marrazzo, a leader with decades of experience in infectious disease research, shares her inspiring journey from her roots in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to her groundbreaking work in HIV prevention and care. Through this intimate conversation, listeners will discover what drives Dr. Marrazzo’s commitment to equity, diversity and community-centered research, and how her personal and professional experiences shape her vision for the future of HIV science. 

From the challenges of addressing global health inequities to the optimism surrounding new HIV prevention methods, Dr Marrazzo offers valuable insights into the importance of inclusive messaging, the power of collaboration, and why putting people first remains
 at the core of her mission. 

Tune in to hear how Jeanne Marrazzo plans to navigate the evolving landscape of global health as she leads NIAID into a new era, and why she believes that hope, innovation, and community are key to overcoming the ongoing challenges in the HIV response. 

Meet our guest: 

Jeanne Marrazzo   

Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, is the Director of NIAID at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she oversees a USD 6.3 billion budget that supports research to advance understanding, diagnosis and treatment of infectious, immunologic and allergic diseases. She was previously the C. Glenn Cobbs Endowed Chair and Director of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and was Treasurer of the IDSA from 2021 to 2023, having served on the board since 2018. She researches the vaginal microbiome, sexually transmitted infections and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. She has had leadership roles in the NIH HIV Prevention Trials Network and the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium. She was a leading voice in communicating science during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Meet our host: 

Juan Michael Porter II  

Juan Michael Porter II is a health journalist, HIV advocate, culture critic, educator and the host of HIV unmuted, the IAS podcast. He is the Senior Editor of TheBody.com and TheBodyPro – and the first person openly living with HIV to hold the position. Juan Michael's reportage combines data dives, personal narratives and policy analyses to address the real-world consequences of ever-shifting legislation on people's health outcomes. He has written for the Public Broadcasting Service, SF Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer, Christian Science Monitor, NY Observer, TDF Stages, Playbill, American Theatre, Time Out NY, Queerty, Anti-Racism Daily, Positively Aware, Documentary Magazine, SYFY Wire, Scholastic and Dance Magazine.