Dr. Xiao-Jian Yao is a distinguished professor in medical microbiology and infectious diseases, currently serving as the director of the Laboratory of Molecular Human Retrovirology at the University of Manitoba. Throughout his esteemed career, Dr. Yao has made significant contributions to the field of infectious diseases, particularly in the area of HIV research. He is recognized as one of the few scientists who first characterized the anti-HIV compound 3TC in vitro, a groundbreaking achievement that has had lasting impacts on HIV treatment and research. Dr. Yao's academic journey is marked by notable achievements. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in an interdisciplinary field from the University of Montreal in 1996. Prior to that, he completed a Master of Science (MSc) at the National Institute for Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products in Beijing, China, in 1986. His academic foundation began with the completion of his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Suzhou University of Medicine in China in 1983. In recognition of his exceptional work, Dr. Yao has received several prestigious awards and honors. From 2014 to 2019, he was honored with the Manitoba Research Chair Award, a testament to his influential research in the field. Dr. Yao’s dedication to medical research and his impact on the scientific community were further acknowledged in 2009 when he was the recipient of the Dr. Kenneth Hughes Young Investigator Award in Medical Research, as well as the Basic Science Career Development Research Award. His excellence in education was recognized that same year when he was named the Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Educator of the Year. In 2008, Dr. Yao received the Rh Award for Outstanding Contributions to Scholarship and Research in the Health Sciences, further cementing his reputation as a leading figure in the field. Additionally, from 2006 to 2009, he was honored with another Basic Science Career Development Research Award, reflecting his ongoing commitment to advancing medical microbiology and infectious disease research. Through his extensive training, groundbreaking discoveries, and recognition by his peers, Dr. Xiao-Jian Yao has become a prominent figure in the world of medical microbiology, with his research and contributions continuing to shape the future of infectious diseases and retrovirology.