# Sharon Lewin

Sharon Ruth Lewin , FRACP, FAHMS is an Australian Infectious Disease physician and researcher, and the inaugural director of The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She leads a multi-disciplinary research team working on mechanisms of HIV latency, clinical trials advancing potential HIV cure strategies and how HIV is affected by co-infections such as Hepatitis B. Lewin has extensive experience in scientific leadership, and is a strong advocate for community engagement and partnership in research. == Research and accomplishments == Lewin began her research career just as highly active antiretroviral treatment emerged as a transformative influence on the lives of people living with HIV. Drawn to study HIV because of its enormous global challenge, along with the complex social issues, complex medicine and potentially transformative science, Lewin's research interests have developed from questions arising during the clinical care of people living with HIV. Detecting, quantifying and potentially reactivating latent HIV is a central theme of Lewin's research, which spans basic virology, cellular immunology and clinical research.