Nicolas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Université de Montréal – CHUM Research Center. He obtained his PhD in medical virology at Pierre et Marie Curie University in Paris. During his post-doc, he described several cellular reservoirs that contribute to the persistence of HIV in infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy. He pursued his research as a principal investigator to characterize these reservoirs which represent the main obstacle to HIV eradication. Dr. Chomont is overseeing studies to unravel the molecular mechanisms involved in HIV latency and to develop novel therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the size of the HIV reservoir.
Dr. Rémi Fromentin, PharmD, PhD, Research associate
Rémi is research associate in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Université de Montréal and at the CHUM Research Center. He holds a PharmD from Université F. Rabelais (France) and a PhD from Université Laval (Canada). His research focuses on understanding the immunological mechanisms that allow HIV to persist in people with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy, with the goal of advancing strategies toward long-term HIV remission or a cure. When he is not working in the lab, Rémi loves to cultivate his garden and gather with his friends over gargantuan meals.
Amélie Pagliuzza, Msc, Research assistant
Amélie joined the lab in 2015. A part of her job is to take care of the lab organization, and assist other lab members on their projects. Besides that, she works on several collaborative projects in which she measures the size of the HIV reservoir in samples from participants in clinical trials. Using assays developed in the lab, Amelie can detect and measure the frequency of the few infected cells that persist in people receiving antiretroviral therapy. Amélie is the queen of PCR and TILDA!
Camille Vellas, PharmD, PhD, Post-doctoral fellow
Originally from Toulouse, France, Camille joined the lab in 2026 as a postdoctoral fellow. She is a clinical virologist (PharmD) at Toulouse University Hospital and obtained her PhD in 2023, studying the molecular forms of HIV-1 persistence and target cells in the intestinal compartment. She has also worked on the evolution of respiratory viruses during persistent infections. Her current research focuses on how NT-I7, a long-acting form of IL-7, reshapes the HIV reservoir. Outside the lab, Camille enjoys hiking and spending time in nature, as well as getting together with friends and family.
Armando Espinosa-Ortiz, MSc, PhD candidate
Born in Mexico but raised in Paris, Armando joined the lab in January 2021. He obtained a Master degree in Virology at Sorbonne Université during which he studied the antiviral effects of interferon on HIV replication. He is currently working on understanding how antigen driven T-cell proliferation shapes the HIV reservoir.
Arthur Caron, MSc, PhD candidate
Originally from Bordeaux, France, Arthur joined the Chomont lab in 2024 as a PhD student. He obtained a master in genetics, during which he developed an interest in host–pathogen interactions. His current research focuses on the innate immune sensing of HIV RNA and the mechanisms of intrinsic cell death triggered by HIV recognition. Through the study of these antiviral pathways, he aims to better understand how infected cells are eliminated and how this contributes to the progressive depletion of the HIV reservoir during long-term antiretroviral therapy. He also loves baking.
Thibaut Dagand, MSc, PhD candidate
Originally from Saint-Étienne, France, Thibaut joined the Chomont lab in 2024 as a PhD student. He obtained a master in infectiology at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France. His current research focuses on the viral transcripts of HIV, with a particular interest in viral transcripts capable of producing proteins within tissues. Through the study of these transcripts, he aims to better understand their contribution to viral persistence and pathogenesis during long-term antiretroviral therapy. He also loves board games, fishing, and sports.
Houria De Ogekunle Traoré, MSc candidate
Houria is a first-year Master’s student at the University of Montreal. She first joined Dr. Nicolas Chomont’s lab in May 2024 as an undergraduate intern before starting her Master’s program in August 2025. Her research project investigates the impact of glucose dysmetabolism on HIV reservoir persistence and transcriptional activity using samples from the generous participants of the CHACS cohort. During her first year, she also had the opportunity to investigate how a 3-month administration of Letermovir, a CMV-specific terminase complex inhibitor, impacts reservoir dynamics. This collaborative project was conducted with Dr. Jean-Pierre Routy’s lab, where she performed the HIV reservoir marker measurements. Balancing science and athletics, Houria is also a track and field athlete competing for the University of Montreal Carabins and her civil club, LaSalle Athletics.
Ruotong Wang, Honors student
Tong is a graduating student in the Microbiology and Immunology program at the University of Montreal. In the summer of 2026, she joined Dr. Chomont’s laboratory as a recipient of the PREMIER Program internship award. She subsequently continued her research in the laboratory through the University's Honours Program. She is currently investigating the evolution and selection of the HIV proviral reservoir in people living with HIV. Outside the lab, Tong enjoys spending time with cats and going for mushrooms picking.
