One of the world's leading experts on HIV/AIDS and key advisor to the White House and Department of Health and Human Services on infectious diseases and global health

As Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Anthony Fauci oversees Institute research on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. Dr. Fauci also serves as one of the key advisors to the White House and Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Fauci's own pioneering research on the human immune system has advanced our understanding of the regulation of the human immune response, such as the way the AIDS virus destroys the body's defenses, leading to its susceptibility.

SELF-EXAMINATION

Occupation:Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), The National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Alternative career choice: Professional Italian Chef.

I tend to approach life: With a sense of optimism.

My mentor is/was: Sheldon Wolff, former NIAID Clinical Director, who convinced me to come to NIH to do research.

Biggest misconceptions about me or my work: There are probably very few misconceptions about me – what you see is what you get.

Worst part-time job ever: Waiting tables at a summer resort when everyone else was having fun.

Best moment in medicine/research: The realization in 1996 that the combination of anti-HIV drugs would probably be lifesaving for countless people.

Worst moment in medicine/research: The first few years of the AIDS pandemic when most of my patients died.

The title of the story of my life will be: “A Brooklyn Tale”

Musical instrument I play: The piano.

I lent my time to the “Rock Stars of Science” campaign because: It is important to highlight the excitement of a career in science for young people.

The hardest part about being a “Rock Star of Science” is: It might give the false impression that my work in science is like a solo performer, when in fact it is a team effort characterized by back and forth learning and teaching and always relying heavily on the work of others.