Our lab focuses on uncovering how the mucosal immune system protects the respiratory tract from viral infections, emphasizing its distinct role compared to systemic immunity. We study immune responses to viruses like influenza A and coronaviruses, using rodent models to dissect how different infection routes influence mucosal and systemic immunity. Employing advanced technologies such as high dimensional flow cytometry, systems serology, and single-cell transcriptomics, we map immune responses across key respiratory tissues. Our goal is to identify correlates of protection and inform the development of vaccines that elicit strong, durable mucosal immunity through various platforms and delivery methods.
Mucosal Immunology and Virology Unit, 2026. Left to right: Nicholas Hazell, Ph.D.; Amanda Zelkoski, Ph.D.; Jessica A Maas, B.S.; Neeltje van Doremalen, Ph.D.; Isaac Mathias, B.Sc.; Reshma Koolaparambil Mukesh, Ph.D.
Neeltje van Doremalen, Ph.D.
Chief, Mucosal Immunology and Virology Unit (MIVU)
Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator
Education:
Ph.D., Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Languages Spoken: Dutch
Nicholas C. Hazell, Ph.D.
IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., University of Texas Medical Branch
B.S., Oklahoma State University
Nicholas received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, in 2026. His doctoral research focused on the development of mRNA–lipid nanoparticle (LNP) countermeasures against SARS-CoV-2. His current research focuses on developing mucosal mRNA-LNP vaccines designed to elicit robust immune responses in the upper respiratory tract, with the goal of improving...
Jessica A. Maas, B.S.
Biologist
Education:
B.S., Oklahoma State University
Jessica earned her B.S. in biology from Oklahoma State University in 2019 and spent several years working in animal research as a Senior Laboratory Animal Technician at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, working on infectious diseases in a Biosafety Level 4 setting before joining MIVU in 2025 as a biologist. Jessica supports lab projects for MIVU through work in lab and animal procedures.
Isaac Mathias, B.Sc.
IRTA Postbaccalaureate Fellow
Education:
B.Sc., Microbiology and Honors in Research, University of Rochester
At the University of Rochester, Isaac researched viral envelope formation and the spread of extracellular enveloped poxviruses in Dr. Brian Ward's lab. He has also worked with Drs. Jennifer Tenor and John Perfect at Duke University in elucidating the role of trehalose biosynthesis in the regulation of ER stress in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. After joining the MIVU in September...
Reshma Koolaparambil Mukesh, Ph.D.
Visiting Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Virology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala, India
Languages Spoken: Malayalam , Hindi, Tamil
Reshma earned her Ph.D. in Virology from the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in August 2022, where her doctoral research focused on characterizing the oncolytic potential of Chandipura virus using in vitro and in vivo models. She joined RML in February 2023. Her current research focuses on understanding the pathogenesis and transmission dynamics of emerging respiratory viruses, including...
Amanda Zelkoski, Ph.D.
IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Emerging Infectious Diseases, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park
Amanda earned her Ph.D. in Emerging Infectious Diseases from the of the Health Sciences in 2025. Her dissertation work examined the innate immune responses to the lipid nanoparticle component of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. She is currently investigating how different vaccination routes influence the development of mucosal immunity and how adjuvants can enhance those mucosal immune responses.
Former Research Group Members
- Ethan Courchesne, B.Sc.
- Lucas Smith, B.Sc.