Board-certified in neurology and recognized as the sole San Diego specialist dedicated to HIV and AIDS neurology, Ronald Joseph Ellis, MD, PhD practices at the UC San Diego Health Neurology clinic on Front Street in Hillcrest. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, dementia, and distal sensory polyneuropathy are the core diagnostic focus, with brain MRI and CSF workups often coordinated through Imaging Healthcare Specialists for referred cases. Dr. Ellis serves as Associate Director of the NIMH-funded HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program and Chair of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group Neurology Collaborative Science Group, bringing active trial protocols into routine patient care. Antiretroviral drug-interaction management shapes treatment for comorbid stroke, epilepsy, and movement disorders, since standard antiepileptics can be contraindicated alongside protease inhibitors. Gait and balance rehabilitation for painful HIV neuropathy is frequently coordinated with PRN Physical Therapy a few blocks south on Fourth Avenue. Referrals arrive from across California for complex neuroAIDS cases involving cerebrospinal fluid biomarker analysis and investigational tesamorelin or pregabalin protocols running through the HNRP.