Postdoctoral Researcher
Virginia Commonwealth University
Austin Jones, PhD is a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University. His research focuses on the intersection of HIV, substance use, and neuropharmacology, specifically investigating how opioid exposure alters antiretroviral (ARV) drug distribution, blood-brain barrier integrity, and neuroimmune signaling in the central nervous system.
Dr. Jones earned his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University and has extensive experience in psychopharmacology, neuroimaging, molecular neuroscience, and substance use disorder. His work employs both in vivo and in vitro models to examine how opioids influence drug transporter expression and neuroinflammation, contributing to the broader understanding of HIV-opioid interactions and their impact on the brain.
He has presented at national and international conferences and authored multiple peer-reviewed publications. His current research focuses on how morphine and fentanyl exposure affect ARV penetration into the brain, as well as immune cell regulation and tight junction protein expression.
At ASCPT 2025, Dr. Jones will present findings on the effects of opioid-HIV co-exposure on ARV drug concentrations and blood-brain barrier function. His research aims to improve the understanding of drug interactions in people with HIV and opioid use disorder, ultimately informing better therapeutic strategies.