In 1983, Montagnier won that distinguished honor for being instrumental in discovering the source of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).   Montagnier has been dedicated to eradicating the virus ever since.

Desormeaux was pleased Montagnier’s efforts extended to help those in Africa - where an estimated 22 million people on the continent are affected by HIV/AIDS, according to the United Nations.  During his presentation, the Nobel Laureate discussed two facilities in Africa that are assisting in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Desormeaux also liked that Montagnier aspired to raise the level of treatment of those afflicted by the virus.

“It wasn’t just on a scientific level.  It was a on a public health level,” she said. 

Montagnier said the current treatment for HIV, antiretroviral therapy, is neither a financially viable option for most people nor does it fully cure the virus.  He outlined his vision for a two-way approach to rid infected individuals of the virus in six- to nine-months.

He advocates taking advantage of the fact that the current antiretroviral therapy partially restores the immune system of HIV patients.  After using the current treatment to restore some function to the immune system, Montagnier wants to develop a therapeutic vaccine and use antioxidants to fully restore immunity of patients.  

In addition, he wants to aggressively identify and target the residual HIV cells that linger from the current treatment.

“No disease will occur,” Montagnier said.  “Right now, this is a dream.”

Desormeaux has dreams to help others in the future.  The Claflin junior plans to pursue a doctorate and possibly enter into medical academia, where she hopes to make strides in cancer research.

“This is a great opportunity for the students.  We can make to their level because have the direction here at Claflin,” she said of Montagnier’s lecture.

The lecture was hosted by the South Carolina Center for Biotechnology at Claflin University.  The center’s director, Dr. Omar Bagasra, is a long-time associate of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.  Bagasra himself recently made headlines with his theory to cure the HIV virus.  Most HIV vaccines under development seek to stop the virus from entering a human cell.  But Bagasra is proposing the development of a vaccine that stops HIV once it’s already inside.

Montagnier also met with President Henry N. Tisdale, toured Claflin’s new Molecular Science Research Center and attended a campus reception in his honor.

“His presence is truly a cause to celebrate,” President Tisdale said. “His visit marks another historic milestone in the 140-year history of Claflin University, one that our faculty, staff and the state’s medical community can benefit from.”

Montagnier is the co-founder of the World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention and co-directs the Program for International Viral Collaboration.  He is also President of the World Foundation for Medical Research and Prevention based in Houston, Texas.  He has received more than 20 major awards, in addition to the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to him for the discovery of HIV.  He is also the recipient of the Legion d’honneur (Commander in 1994; Grand Officer in 2009), the Lasker Award (1986), the Gairdner Award (1987), King Faisal Foundation Prize (1993), known as the Arab Nobel Prize, and the Prince of Asturias Award (2000 and 2008).