Overview

Dr. Marconi joined the faculty in 2009 as the Associate Medical Director of the Grady Health System's Infectious Disease Program at the Ponce de Leon Center. He is a faculty physician and Professor of Medicine for the Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine and jointly an Associate Professor of Global Health at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University. The Infectious Disease Program serves a clinic population of over 5,500 patients with HIV in Atlanta. He is also a staff physician and Director of the Infectious Disease Research Program at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center Infectious Disease Clinic which serves over 1600 patients with HIV. In addition to his work at Emory, he maintains an ongoing collaboration that began in 2004 with colleagues in Durban, South Africa.

Dr. Marconi received his Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida and his MD degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. He completed his clinical and research training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the Brigham and Womens Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. Dr. Marconi was then called to active duty service with the United States Air Force from 2005 to 2009 where he served as the Director of the HIV Medical Evaluation Unit and Research Program in San Antonio, TX.

The main focus of Dr. Marconis research is to identify the biological, social and behavioral conditions which lead to disparities in HIV treatment response for domestic and international populations. Results from these studies inform the design of interventional trials with the goal to improve the quality of life for individuals living with HIV.

His domestic research activities have two primary components: (1) immunopathogenesis relevant to inflammation and HIV cure/eradication and (2) improving adherence and retention in care for patients receiving HIV treatment. The immunopathogenesis work includes an effort to elucidate the biological mechanisms associated with immunologic stability for Elite Controllers. Additional observational studies and clinical trials are focused on patients with immunologic non-response, persistent HIV reservoirs and ongoing inflammation while virologically suppressed on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Current research aimed at improving ART adherence and retention in care include assessing the cost-effectiveness of HIV treatment in a free-access healthcare setting and examining the role of various behavioral interventions including a comprehensive, palliative care model, financial incentives, and cognitive-based meditation.

His international research seeks to identify the prevalence of and risk factors for HIV drug resistance after ART. These studies include examining clinical outcomes after subsequent therapy, adherence and pharmacy refill patterns, and the contrast between urban and rural settings. Additional work involves identifying the impact of minority resistance variants on treatment response for patients in South Africa.

Academic Appointment

• Distinguished Physician, Emory University School of Medicine
• Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
• Professor of Global Health, The Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University

Education

Research