Efforts to develop safe and effective vaccines increasingly involve the use of adjuvants—substances formulated as part of a vaccine to boost immune responses and enhance the vaccine’s effectiveness. NIAID plays a leading role in the discovery, development, and characterization of new vaccine adjuvants. Why is the Study of Vaccine Adjuvants a Priority for NIAID? Researchers can use adjuvants to
Program Leadership Christa S. Zerbe, M.D., MS Director, Infectious Disease Fellowship Program Medical Director, Clinical Patient Services Unit LCIM Senior Staff Clinician More about Dr. Zerbe Veronique Nussenblatt, M.D., Sc.M., M.H.S. Chief, Infectious Disease Consult Service Associate Program Director, Infectious Diseases Fellowship Director, NIH Residency Electives Program (REP) and Clinical
Last Reviewed: December 8, 2022
Your Genome Report Is Negative—What You Need To Know Now
Credit:NHGRI/NIH
We’ve completed the analysis of your genome sequence.
You may remember joining NIH study 17-I-0122. This study offered genetic testing called genome sequencing. We looked at nearly all of your DNA in detail. Genes are made from DNA and are the instructions for our bodies.
Credit:NHGRI/NIH
We did not find a genetic cause for your symptoms.
We looked for differences or variants in your genes that could connect to your symptoms. We did not find anything to share with you.
Credit: Jehannine Austin and NIAID
We discussed that mental illnesses are caused by a combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors.
We did not expect to find a single genetic factor that explained your mental health history.
Your negative report does not mean that there are no genetic factors contributing to your mental health history.
Credit:NHGRI/NIH
We also did not find any reportable secondary findings.
Secondary findings are variants in genes that may put a person at risk for rare, serious disorders that can be prevented or treated. Often, secondary findings are not related to your symptoms. Most of them have to do with risk for certain types of heart disease or cancer.
No test is perfect. You may still have gene variants that are important for your health.
This test may have missed variants that are important for your health, including things that cause your symptoms. You should continue to work with your doctors to determine the best ways to care for your health, including having routine screenings. If a provider recommends further genetic testing, you should not assume it will be negative.
Some variants may not have been detected due to limitations in sequencing and analysis. The interpretation of your data is based on what we know now. New discoveries may change our analysis. We may provide updates to this report.
Credit:NHGRI/NIH
Next steps.
Please find your personal report in the patient portal. This report is a complex document that may be most helpful to your doctors.
Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States from the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel.
Last Reviewed: October 24, 2018
Your Genome Report Is Negative—What You Need To Know Now
Credit:NHGRI/NIH
We’ve completed the analysis of your* genome sequence.
You may remember joining NIH study 17-I-0122. This study offered genetic testing called genome sequencing. We looked at nearly all of your DNA in detail. Genes are made from DNA and are the instructions for our bodies.
*If the person enrolled is a minor, then the term “you” refers to “you and/or your child” throughout this website.
Credit:NHGRI/NIH
We did not find a genetic cause for your symptoms.
We looked for differences or variants in your genes that could connect to your symptoms. We did not find anything to share with you.
Credit:NHGRI/NIH
We also did not find any reportable secondary findings.
Secondary findings are variants in genes that may put a person at risk for rare, serious disorders that can be prevented or treated. Often, secondary findings are not related to your symptoms. Most of them have to do with risk for certain types of heart disease or cancer.
No test is perfect. You may still have gene variants that are important for your health.
This test may have missed variants that are important for your health, including things that cause your symptoms. You should continue to work with your doctors to determine the best ways to care for your health, including having routine screenings. If a provider recommends further genetic testing, you should not assume it will be negative.
Some variants may not have been detected due to limitations in sequencing and analysis. The interpretation of your data is based on what we know now. New discoveries may change our analysis. We may provide updates to this report.
Credit:NHGRI/NIH
Next steps.
Please find your personal report in the patient portal. This report is a complex document that may be most helpful to your doctors.
The postbac training experience is an exciting time for young scientists to develop the scientific and professional skills necessary to reach the next stage of their career journey. Finding the right mentor to help you grow as a scientist and guide you in navigating important career decisions can help you maximize your fellowship. While every trainee is unique and has different qualities they look for in a mentor, there are a few common attributes that all postbacs need from a postdoc mentor. Open and consistent communication, patience and encouragement when mistakes are made, and a clear investment in the mentee’s career development are all essential elements of good mentoring. We asked postbacs to reflect on their experience being mentored by NIAID postdocs and share their highlights. Here’s what they had to say.
Marc Theberge, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, and Mohammad Abu-Laban, M.S., Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Virus Persistence and Dynamics Section of the Immunology Laboratory.
Credit:NIAID
Marc Theberge (Postbac) & Mohammad Abu-Laban, M.S., Ph.D. (Postdoc Mentor)
Virus Persistence and Dynamics Section, Immunology Laboratory (IL), Vaccine Research Center (VRC)
What is one important thing that you have learned from your postdoc mentor?
“Expect and welcome failure so that you are ready to learn from it.”
Megan Perry, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, and Ankur Bothra, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Microbial Pathogenesis Section of the Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases.
Credit:NIAID
Megan Perry (Postbac) & Ankur Bothra, Ph.D. (Postdoc Mentor)
Microbial Pathogenesis Section,Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases (LPD), Division of Intramural Research (DIR)
What is one practice that your postdoc mentor does that helps you succeed in the lab?
“Ankur makes sure I understand not just how to do something, but why I am doing it. As a result of this practice of understanding the "why,” I now have competency in choosing the most appropriate experimental tools to answer a question, confidence that I can learn how to use these tools even if I haven't before, and increased independence in designing and executing my own experiments.”
Armando Arroyo-Mejias, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, and Hiroshi Ichise, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Lymphocyte Biology Section of the Laboratory of Immune System Biology.
Lymphocyte Biology Section,Laboratory of Immune System Biology (LISB), Division of Intramural Research (DIR)
What is one practice that your postdoc mentor does that helps you succeed in the lab?
“He sits with me to plan my experiments when they are complex and offers his availability and help to go during the weekends or odd hours if necessary. He sees me as an equal, regardless of my knowledge or position.”
Darwing Padilla Rolon, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, and Joanna Kocot, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Neuroimmunological Diseases Section of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology.
Neuroimmunological Diseases Section, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (LCIM), Division of Intramural Research (DIR)
What is one practice that your postdoc mentor does that helps you succeed in the lab?
“One practice that my postdoc mentor does that helps me succeed in the lab is that she always challenges my scientific thought process by asking lots of questions. For example, we are both collaborating in a very complex project and every time one of us has a result back, we both make questions that lead to new paths in our research question.”
Kelly Hanner, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, and Heather Kudyba, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research.
Credit:NIAID
Kelly Hanner (Postbac) & Heather Kudyba, Ph.D. (Postdoc Mentor)
Molecular Parasitology and Entomology Unit, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR), Division of Intramural Research (DIR)
What is one practice that your postdoc mentor does that helps you succeed in the lab?
“One practice my mentor does that helps me succeed is constant reassurance that the post-baccalaureate fellowship is a time of learning and mistakes are just part of the learning process.”
Abigail Wukitch, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, and Andrea Luker, M.S., Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Mast Cell Biology Section of the Laboratory of Allergic Diseases.
Credit:NIAID
Abigail Wukitch (Postbac) & Andrea Luker, M.S., Ph.D. (Postdoc Mentor)
Mast Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases (LAD), Division of Intramural Research (DIR)
What is one practice that your postdoc mentor does that helps you succeed in the lab?
“My postdoc is really flexible and encouraging. She emphasizes that I am learning and that I will make mistakes. She also points out that she also makes mistakes. Other than the science I have been learning, my postdoc has helped me in learning how to be confident in asking questions."
Rojin Najmabadi, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, and Sean Mack, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Vaccine Production Program Laboratory.
Credit:NIAID
Rojin Najmabadi (Postbac) & Sean Mack, Ph.D. (Postdoc Mentor)
Vaccine Production Program Laboratory (VPPL), Vaccine Research Center (VRC)
What is one important thing that you have learned from your postdoc mentor?
"How to present and communicate better. Every presentation I have done mostly was with a group of people so it never felt isolating but standing up and saying this is my work was a lot scarier than I thought. Also, there are such wide power dynamics in the office that can be hard to navigate because you end up working with people from different levels. Having someone there to help navigate all this was very helpful.”
Hanna Anhalt, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, and Kyle O'Donnell, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Unit of the Laboratory of Virology.
Credit:NIAID
Hanna Anhalt (Postbac) & Kyle O'Donnell, Ph.D. (Postdoc Mentor)
Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Unit, Laboratory of Virology (LV), Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML)
What is one important thing that you have learned from your postdoc mentor?
“He has taught me the importance of a good work-life balance and that it is easy to still do the things you enjoy while being productive in lab.”
The generic product development plans (PDPs) and target product profiles (TPPs) below provide guidance to support product development activities through Phase 1 clinical development: PDP for Human Monoclonal Antibodies PDP for Small Molecule Anti-infectives PDP for a Generic Prophylactic Vaccine for Infectious Diseases TPPs for Antivirals
James M. Cherry, Ph.D. Chief, Research Technologies Branch Dr. Jim Cherry obtained his Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America in molecular biology with a concentration in bio-medical science. He earned an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University in molecular biology with a concentration in biotechnology. His bachelor’s degree is from Shepherd University with a major in biology and minor in
By Lila Berle, postbac in the Tuberculosis Research Section of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
The much-anticipated 2022 NIH Postbac Poster Days took place this year from March 26 through 28, with 940 postbacs presenting their research in a virtual conference hall. The unique platform emulated the experience of attending in-person presentations, as both trainees and judges bounced between rooms to visit the posters of NIH postbacs eager to describe the research they’ve been working on all year.
The event was filled with fantastic presentations, and we will delve into four here.
Isabella focuses on the relationship between retinoic acid within the gut and the expression of the CCR5 coreceptor. To educate her audience about the application of her work, Isabella explained how HIV uses CCR5 as it adheres to host cells. Isabella then discussed how retinoic acid functions as an immunoregulatory agent and also described her interest in the effect of retinoic acid on MAdCAM and anti-CD28 co-stimulated CD4+ T cells.
Isabella’s experiments ultimately allowed her to show that retinoic acid is related to the upregulation of coreceptors CCR5, CCR9, and beta 7 in cells that are stimulated with interleukin 2. Her work is inspiring when viewed through the lens of basic science research and could also serve as a launch point for clinical or translation studies focusing on the interaction between HIV and CD4+ T cells.
Like many others, Genevieve is passionate about COVID-19 research. However, she does not focus on primary COVID-19 infections; instead, she studies the risk factors and experiences of patients with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). To begin, she oriented her audience by explaining that this condition encompasses persistent symptoms such as a cough, brain fog, and fatigue.
Genevieve’s poster illustrated the clinical data she used to determine whether individuals with PASC are at an increased risk of reinfection and also included information on the relationships between reinfection, vaccination status, and comorbid conditions. Going forward, she is particularly interested in studying whether the symptoms of patients diagnosed with PASC following a primary infection change after reinfection with SARS-CoV-2.
In her research, Jacquelyn combines fascinating aspects of analytical chemistry and biochemistry as she uses mass spectrometry to learn more about cell metabolism. Her poster discussed the data she gathered from studying wound healing of keratinocytes in both cell culture models and biopsy samples. Jacquelyn also explained that she uses her mass spec data and the MetaboAnalysis program to focus on sialic acid metabolism, which is upregulated in wound healing.
Jacquelyn is looking forward to experimenting with the insertion of exogenous sialic acid into her keratinocyte cultures and is interested in testing time-dependent wound healing within this environment.
Micah’s poster invited his audience to view the existence of mosquitos not as a mere nuisance, but as an opportunity. His project focuses on generating transgenic mosquitoes that produce antibodies reactive to Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria. He described how these mosquito antibodies bind a protein expressed on the female gametes of the parasite, which then decreases its ability to use the mosquito as a viable host.
In his talk, Micah addressed the process of optimizing antibody generation to decrease the fitness cost to mosquitos and also expanded on his future directions. Going forward, he is eager to continue optimizing the expression of the single-chain antibody in the mosquito by employing different promoters and is also interested in quantifying the expression of the parasitic protein within the gut of mosquitos.
For many postbacs, poster days serve as an opportunity to step outside of their familiar research to learn from their peers. Additionally, it is refreshing to hear the opinions of other trainees as they ask clarifying questions and inquire about future directions. Perhaps in 2023 this event will occur in person; either way, the 2022 poster days marked another year of both flexibility and productivity.
Congratulations to the 39 NIAID postbacs who received Outstanding Poster Awards at this year’s event! These individuals’ posters scored in the top 20% of all posters presented. See the list of winners.
By Kamryn Cregger, Postbac in the Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology (LB)
Postbaccalaureate fellows (postbacs) at Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) conduct research in the Laboratories of Bacteriology (LB), Neurological Infections and Immunity (LNII), and Virology (LV) under the mentorship of NIAID principal investigators and postdoctoral fellows (postdocs). During their one- or two-year fellowships, postbacs prepare for their next career steps through the numerous seminars, workshops, and professional development opportunities available through NIAID. Outside of the lab, our current fellows participate in numerous extracurricular activities in their local communities, including playing for a hurling team, enjoying acro yoga and swing dancing, being a member of the Bitterroot Community Band, and partaking in the RML run club.
Read about the unique experiences that led the current trainees to pursue postbaccalaureate research training opportunities within RML.
Matthew Anderson
Matthew Anderson
Credit:NIAID
Coxiella Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology Intended Path: M.D./Ph.D.
Matthew currently studies the intracellular bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii and is looking at several different aspects. At a more molecular level, one project is investigating how the bacteria responds to host reactive oxygen species stressors and seeks to broadly characterize the response. Matthew is also working to better understand vaccine dissemination and the mechanisms that contribute to severe post-vaccination hypersensitivity reactions in those with prior exposure. He envisions a future career as a physician-scientist who is actively engaged in research and teaching while also running his own medical practice. Upon reflecting, Matthew says, “The fellowship has exceeded expectations with regards to my development as a reasonably independent young scientist, and the resources available for personal and professional development and exploration are truly exceptional."
What aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“Exposure to BSL-3 and ABSL-3 work was always something that had been on my "research bucket list," and I was extremely fortunate to find work in a lab that not only allows me to work in this setting but also lets me develop my own experiments and ideas using these resources. It is a very unique opportunity and one that is relatively hard to find at this stage in training.”
Leah Bernstein
Leah Bernstein
Credit:NIAID
Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section, Laboratory of Virology Intended Path: Graduate School
During undergrad, Leah worked on experiments that used mouse models and realized it was not the right research path for her. In her postbac, she has expanded her knowledge about virology and gained extensive hands-on experience working full-time in a laboratory setting. Leah currently works within LV, where she has assisted and conducted research on the biology of tick-borne flaviviruses as well as the molecular pathogenesis of the infections the ticks cause. Thanks to the current research she helps maintain, she has found a passion for tick studies and says that they fascinate her in the way they prove to be a wonderful model organism to study infectious diseases. As her love for research grows, she hopes to be able to contribute new knowledge to the field of virology throughout her career.
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“I'm an artist, I make acrylic paintings.”
Kamryn Cregger
Kamryn Cregger
Credit:NIAID
Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology Intended Path: Ph.D.
With a continuous passion for research and knowledge, Kamryn plans to spend two years as a postbac at RML conducting research with a focus on Borrelia species within LB. Her current project focuses on the characterization of two oligopeptide-binding proteins in Borreliahermsii in a relapsing fever invivo infection model. Kamryn has broadened her horizons within the field of microbiology and developed a new skill set. While working in the Groshong laboratory, she has discovered a passion for studying bacteria that undergo antigenic variation of the variable major proteins and finds Borrelia species fascinating. After completing her postbac, Kamryn plans to earn a Ph.D. in microbiology with a research project concentrating on infectious diseases.
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“My career aspiration is to take on a role as an academic PI, and by undergoing all of the unique networking opportunities, laboratory team meetings, as well as collaborations within NIAID, I believe I will be able to use the skills I have gained through all of the above to run a great lab one day!”
Olivia Durant
Olivia Durant
Credit:NIAID
Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Unit, Laboratory of Virology Intended Path: M.D.
Olivia wanted to gain more bench and wet lab experience, conduct animal work, contribute to more publications, and work with filoviruses. Her initial motivation for wanting to do filovirus research is rooted in how severe they are. These viruses are very deadly and complex, and both factors are fascinating to Olivia. She is interested in how science can protect people and aid in the healing and prevention of disease. Filovirus glycoproteins are believed to play a role in the pathogenic potential of filoviruses, but not all filovirus species have been investigated to assess this potential. In her current research at NIAID, Olivia is investigating the role of filovirus glycoproteins in the pathogenicity of infection using recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus in interferon-alpha/beta receptor knockout mice. Olivia is currently deciding between an M.D. and an M.D./Ph.D. as she is drawn to both medicine and research. In medicine, she loves working with people and teaching and using knowledge to help others, whereas in research, she loves investigating new things and making connections.
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“I have a great mentor in my postdoc. She is patient and really takes the time to teach me the concepts behind the techniques. She also fosters a supportive environment where I feel safe asking questions. Overall, living in Montana has been amazing; it was really fun to hike every weekend in the summer, and now that there is some snow, I am learning to cross-country ski!”
Taylor Fletcher
Taylor Fletcher
Credit:NIAID
Prion Cell Biology Unit, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity Intended Path: Exploring Career Paths
Taylor’s undergraduate research focused on both the metastasis of chemo-resistant ovarian cancer cells and the neuroinflammation surrounding HIV infection in the brain. After graduating, Taylor knew she loved science and medicine and was excited for the opportunity to work in biomedical sciences at NIAID. Taylor currently conducts stem cell research dissecting the neuropathogenesis of neuroborreliosis caused by different species of Lyme disease-causing Borrelia. When reflecting on the opportunities afforded to her through her postbac, Taylor said, “With the opportunity presented to me by joining the lab, I am now able to reside in the intersection of medicine and science and explore both passions while growing my resume and making myself more competitive for either medical school or graduate school—whichever direction I choose to go.”
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“I like aerial arts, dancing, watching makeup tutorials, and going to new food places.”
Ben Greene
Ben Greene
Credit:NIAID
Virus Ecology Section, Laboratory of Virology Intended Path: Graduate School
Ben is currently working on sequencing pipelines for field diagnostics of emerging viruses in LV, which aims to improve targeted enrichment methods for viruses that can potentially be used in the field, whether for surveillance or outbreak diagnostics. With a background in genetics and an interest in disease surveillance, particularly as it pertains to our understanding of the evolution and ecology of viruses, he found the Virus Ecology Section to be the best fit for him. Being a postbac has helped Ben not only become a more independent scientist but has also helped him grow more confident in running his own projects.
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“Clinical case reviews have been really interesting. Although I do not plan on going to medical school, it’s been an interesting insight into clinical thinking, and I think I could apply it to my future career if I work as a microbiologist in a clinical or public health setting.”
Imali Kegode
Imali Kegode
Credit:NIAID
Neuroimmunology Unit, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity Intended Path: M.D.
During undergrad, Imali worked on a project creating autologous therapies for cartilage damage at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute. For her master’s thesis, she studied the role of sub-genomic flavivirus RNAs in Zika virus pathogenesis while at the University of Colorado. Imali’s master’s provided a lot of clarity for what her career aspirations were within the field—becoming a physician-scientist. The research Imali is currently working on involves a collaboration with Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, M.D., M.H.S. In this project, Imali is using patient-induced pluripotent stem cell samples to generate cerebral organoids. The patients have neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease, a rare autoinflammatory disease that is due to an overactive NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. In this project, Imali hopes to use these patient samples as a model to investigate the possible role the NLRP3 pathway has on neurodifferentiation and development.
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“I have really enjoyed all the postbac get-togethers and getting to know everyone.”
Amira-Nuriya McKinney
Amira-Nuriya McKinney
Credit:NIAID
Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology Intended Path: Graduate School
Following undergrad, Amira looked for opportunities to conduct research while exploring potential career paths. Looking more into the NIH Postbac Program, Amira was drawn to the equal emphasis on mentorship and professional development and the opportunity to explore different scientific interests through the NIH. Her current project is characterizing an unknown hypothetical protein, BB0208, which thus far has been shown to be important for transmission from the tick vector to the mammalian host. The mutant of this protein has shown a lack of transmission. Throughout her time at RML, she has taken opportunities to shadow other laboratories and departments, expand her learning through graduate school courses offered by the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, network at conferences, and, overall, learn about different perspectives that other scientists have within their fields. From this fellowship experience, Amira has decided to continue pursuing a career in research and medicine, but she is still exploring her options to determine which area of science aligns with her values and interests the most.
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“I enjoy volunteering at a horse shelter and participating in town events.”
Evan Mihalakakos
Evan Mihalakakos
Credit:NIAID
Disease Modeling and Transmission Section, Laboratory of Virology Intended Path: M.D.
While Evan’s research background is in testing chemotherapeutics for lung cancer, he decided to branch out when he heard about the NIH connections with a site in Uganda. He is currently conducting serology research in Uganda for the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. He has been there for 7 months testing human and livestock samples. Evan’s goal is to identify at-risk individuals to prevent infection. Global health has been an interest of his for a long time, so he decided to find a project where he could live abroad during his gap years. He has really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know individuals and develop rapport with them, whether that be through conferences, travel, postbac gatherings, or shadowing experiences. Evan plans to attend medical school next fall. Upon reflecting on his postbac so far, he said, “This has easily been the best experience I have had.” Evan not only gained knowledge, but he also gained “insight from inspiring mentors, engaging work, and friendships and memories to last a lifetime.”
Outside of research, what other aspect of your fellowship has been your favorite and why?
“My fieldwork. I enjoy being in the communities and seeing our work translate to improving individuals' health.”
Johan Ortiz Morales
Johan Ortiz Morales
Credit:NIAID
Molecular Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Virology Intended Path: Ph.D.
After completing his undergraduate degree at Universidad Ana G. Mendez in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Johan saw the NIH Postbac Program as an opportunity to expand his scientific skill set as he prepared for a productive career in science. Currently, he is working on AT2 to AT1 differentiation and optimizing the lung organoid model under the mentorship of Meaghan Flagg, Ph.D., a postdoc in LV. Johan plans to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology and is excited by the variety of research opportunities available within the field.
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“Since moving here, I have been exploring baking, and before the first snow here in Hamilton, I also picked apples out of a tree with my landlord. My favorite activity I have done here outside of RML was going to the Field of Screams with some of the other postbacs.”
Sam Smith
Sam Smith
Credit:NIAID
Virus Persistence and Dynamics Section, Laboratory of Virology Intended Path: Industry - Medical Sales
Sam is currently researching the use of the Mastomys natalensis cytomegalovirus as a self-disseminating vaccine platform for Lassa virus. As a side project, he is also involved in the lab’s efforts to investigate M. natalensis as a possible host and disease model for monkeypox. During his fellowship, Sam realized he enjoys working in customer-facing positions and plans on using the skills he has gained in the lab and through RML’s community outreach to build a new career for himself in the field of medical sales.
Outside of the lab, what other activities do you enjoy doing?
“I enjoy going to acroyoga, volunteering at the nursing home and horse rescue in town, cross country skiing, running, and hiking with my dog.”
The Behavioral and Social Sciences Project Team (BSSPT) enhances the integration of behavioral and social sciences (BSS) into biomedical HIV clinical research, including clinical trials of HIV vaccines, non-vaccine prevention, therapeutics, and cure research.
The NIAID Training office is celebrating the amazing contributions of our postdoctoral, visiting, and research fellows during National Postdoc Appreciation Week from Monday, September 21 through Friday, September 25, 2020. Read what NIAID postdocs have to say about their research and what they like most about working at NIAID.
Billur Akkaya, M.D., DPhil
Billur Akkaya, M.D., DPhil , Research Fellow, Cellular Immunology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology
“I truly enjoy the resources that NIAID provides me to pursue my ideal in research. NIAID intramural research program is where the sky is the limit for creative minds.” Billur Akkaya, M.D., DPhil
My Research
Autoimmunity is a leading cause of chronic illness that encompasses more than 100 individual diseases. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are body’s safeguard against autoimmunity, therefore constitute a desirable target for therapies. My research at NIAID unraveled a new working principle for Tregs whereby they modulate the immune response and prevent autoimmunity via stealing antigen from antigen presenting cells (1), (2). In the near future, the biological processes leading up to this phenomenon will be under spotlight for designing new generation antigen-targeted therapies to defeat not only autoimmune diseases but also cancer. Stay tuned! NIAID New Innovators Awardee (DP2).
Allison Bucsan, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow, Cellular Immunology Section, Immunology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center
Credit:NIAID
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Cellular Immunology Section of the Immunology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center
“I like that my research program supports the development of vaccines to prevent tuberculosis, as well as therapeutics and vaccines for other diseases like malaria and cancer.” – Allison Bucsan, Ph.D.
My Research
I work in the Vaccine Research Center on the characterization of host immune responses that will protect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Recently our research has sought to investigate mechanisms by which the BCG vaccine protects against Mtb infection and found that changing the route of vaccination improved protection. Our goal is to identify correlates of immunity that can be used to evaluate immunity.
“Completing my postdoc at NIAID has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to my field of research, and to influence a number of global health goals.” - Pedro Guimaraes-Gazzinelli, MSc., Ph.D.
My Research
Under the supervision of Thomas Nutman, M.D., my project has been focused on evaluating the relationship between helminth infections and allergies. We have demonstrated that house-dust mite (HDM)-allergic sensitization coincident with filarial infection induces an augmented parasite-specific Th2-dominated immune response in humans. Using a murine model of HDM-induced allergic inflammation followed by infection with the Ascaris roundworm, we have shown that environmental allergens drive a lung-specific eosinophil-rich type-2-immunity that leads to 70% reduction in parasite burden. We are now exploring the function, plasticity and specificity of the effector Th2 cell subsets at the single cell level and through systems immunology to understand their implication in the pathogenesis of helminth-allergy reactivity.
Gazzinelli-Guimaraes, Pedro H, and Thomas B Nutman. “Helminth parasites and immune regulation.” F1000Research vol. 7 F1000 Faculty Rev-1685. 23 Oct. 2018, doi:10.12688/f1000research.15596.1
Jeffrey Grabowski, Ph.D.
Jeffrey Grabowski, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Biology of Vector-Borne Viruses Section of the Laboratory of Virology
“It is exciting to see that my basic research can be used in a translational pipeline leading towards designing countermeasures to combat tick-borne virus infections and possibly other tick-borne diseases.” - Jeffrey Grabowski, Ph.D.
My research intersects vector biology, arbovirology, and microbiology. The interdisciplinary projects I've spearheaded with virus-tick interactions and virus-tick model development provide novel findings in a neglected research area. Little is known regarding the mechanisms of virus infection and dissemination from tick organs. Currently, my research aims at dissecting macromolecular interactions between viruses and ticks, especially within salivary glands (SGs). Much of this has led to identification of tick-specific transcripts that are functionally involved in virus infection of SGs. Ongoing and future research continues to characterize the potential roles of these select transcripts and corresponding proteins in the virus lifecycle and in tick physiology.
“Being a postdoc at NIAID allows me the uniquely rewarding opportunity to meet the patients most impacted by the scientific discoveries our team makes in the lab. Patient stories are my daily inspiration.” – Jessica C. Hargarten, Ph.D.
My Research
As a postdoc in the Translational Mycology Section in the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology at the NIAID, my research project focuses on understanding how rare genetic mutations increase the susceptibility of previously healthy people to fungal infections, particularly those caused by the neurotropic pathogen Cryptococcus. Globally, cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is responsible for ~11% of AIDS-related deaths and carries a mortality rate upwards of 30-50% in HIV-uninfected individuals, including the previously healthy with no apparent underlying predispositions at a rate of ~1:500,000 in the United States. Little is known about the immune defects underlying disease in the previously healthy. Through whole exome sequencing analysis, we identified rare alleles predicted to have deleterious functional consequences. Ongoing experiments will further determine the role of these genes in immunity and susceptibility to CM in order to facilitate development of personalized therapeutic interventions.
Julia Lederhofer, MSc., Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow in the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center
Credit:NIAID
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory of the Vaccine Research Center
“I like that the scientific resources and research opportunities at the Vaccine Research Center are endless.” – Julia Lederhofer, Msc., Ph.D.
My Research
Despite immense efforts in the past several decades and the availability of commercial vaccines influenza remains a major public health burden worldwide. Although currently only two subtypes of influenza A and two lineages of influenza B viruses cause seasonal epidemic in humans, there are a number of influenza viruses in zoonotic reservoirs that pose a pandemic threat to humans. Current influenza vaccines consist of predicted circulating strains of influenza A H1N1, H3N2, and one or two lineages of influenza B viruses. These vaccines induce protective immunity to vaccine-matched strains but are not effective when the circulating virus(es) is not matched to the vaccines. In our laboratories, significant effort is being invested to develop universal influenza vaccines that are efficacious regardless of antigenic match.
“I enjoy the range of opportunities available, both in and out of the lab, that allow me to develop as a scientist.” – Leanne Low, Ph.D.
My Research
My research currently centers on the investigation of the role of the Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry neck protein 3 (PfRON3) towards intracellular development of the malaria parasite. Additionally, I am also involved in a study dissecting serum factors that influence the binding of PfEMP1 variants associated with cerebral malaria to brain endothelial cells.
Gaurav Shrivastava, Ph.D., Molecular Entomology Unit, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research
Credit:NIAID
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Molecular Entomology Unit of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research
“I enjoy highly collaborative and extensive scientific expert interactions in NIAID along with excellent professional training opportunities." – Gaurav Shrivastava, Ph.D.
My Research
My work is focused on the role of mosquito saliva on the host innate immune response during arbovirus infection. My main objective is to identify proteins of the salivary gland that can facilitate the viral transmission and further modulates the host innate immune response. Under the supervision of Eric Calvo, Ph.D., I am currently working with Aedes aegypti mosquito salivary gland extract as well as several female specific salivary gland protein candidates that may play a crucial role in modulating the host innate immune response due to arboviruses infection.
“I enjoy the freedom to pursue my ideas in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.” - Malcolm Sim, Ph.D.
My Research
My research is focused on receptors of the innate and adaptive immune system that recognize human class I MHC molecules. I use molecular, cellular and structural techniques to understand how these interactions regulate immune responses to a variety of human diseases including cancer, bacterial infections and malaria. Last year, we described the first functional ligands for the natural killer cell receptor KIR2DS4 to include a conserved bacterial epitope presented by HLA-C (1). In addition, earlier this year we published a biochemical and structural characterization of therapeutic T cell receptors specific for the oncogenic hotspot mutation KRAS-G12D (2).
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Molecular Genetics Section of the Laboratory of Bacteriology
"I am honored to be able to study the important human pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, under one of the most renowned scientists in the field at the facility it was discovered.” - Jenny Wachter, MSc., Ph.D.
My Research
Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne illness in the United States. B. burgdorferi persists in nature in an infectious cycle between a tick vector and a vertebrate host. In order to successfully survive and transition between these disparate environments, B. burgdorferi must tightly regulate gene expression. Many genes transcribed by the sigma factor RpoS are necessary for successful infection and survival of this spirochete within the mammalian host. Our lab originally described and characterized BBD18as a negative regulator of RpoS. In the absence of bbd18 it appears that endogenous, transducing phage cause cell lysis in vitro. Investigation into the contribution of BBD18 during the infectious cycle found that bbd18 expression is diminished during tick feeding, preceding transmission to the host, but is critical for spirochete survival after the bloodmeal. We hypothesize that transducing phage are a natural component of the RpoS-dependent host-adaptive response, thereby facilitating horizontal gene transfer between spirochetes in infected ticks prior to transmission, and that BBD18 modulates RpoS activity to circumvent uncontrolled activation of lytic phage.
Marissa Zarakas, D.D.S., M.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Fungal Pathogenesis Section Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
Credit:NIAID
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Fungal Pathogenesis Section of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology
“What I enjoy most about my experience as a postdoc is the opportunity to acquire diverse clinical and research skills to better understand the complex, yet fascinating mechanisms of innate host immunity.” - Marissa Zarakas
My Research
Ibrutinib is an irreversible inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), which is a critical component of B-cell receptor signaling and regulates B-cell proliferation and survival. Ibrutinib is successfully used in treatment of various B-cell malignancies (1), however, its use has been associated with increased risk for invasive aspergillosis (2), indicating a critical protective role of BTK in innate antifungal immunity. My work has been focused on determining the BTK-dependent regulation of antifungal effector functions in human phagocytes from healthy donors and lymphoma patients in order to comprehensively characterize the mechanistic basis of susceptibility to invasive fungal disease.
