In this #ISSNAFStory, Barbara Rosario interviews Professor Guido Silvestri, an expert in HIV research and Vice President for Basic and Translational Research at Emory University. With a career spanning over three decades, Silvestri has been instrumental in transforming HIV from a deadly epidemic to a treatable condition, with hopes for its eventual eradication through vaccines and therapies.  Passionate about studying the complex interactions between viruses and the human immune system, Silvestri is excited by new research tools like multi-omics and artificial intelligence, which promise groundbreaking advances in medicine.  In his leadership role, overseeing over $1 billion in research funding, he promotes interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle global health challenges. Silvestri also emphasizes the importance of effective science communication, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.  Now a member of the board of the Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation, Silvestri continues to mentor the next generation of researchers, advocating for collaboration and innovation to drive progress in global health.