Adams Research Group

Learn more about Philip P. Adams, Ph.D.

Philip P. Adams, Ph.D.

Chief, Biology of Spirochetes Unit
Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator
NIH Distinguished Scholar

Contact: philip.adams@nih.gov

Education:

Ph.D., 2017, Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, FL
B.S., 2012, Biology, Summa Cum Laude, West Virginia Wesleyan College, WV

Dr. Philip Adams earned his undergraduate degree in biology at West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2012, where he first studied B. burgdorferi cell biology. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Central Florida, College of Medicine, Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis in 2017. His dissertation work identified and characterized murine infection-relevant RNAs in...

Erika Smith, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Contact: erika.smith2@nih.gov

Education:

Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
B.A., Colby College

Dr. Erika Smith earned her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Colby College in 2018, where she studied carotenoid biosynthesis in the archaeon Haloferax volcanii. In 2024, she earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry, cellular, and molecular biology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as a member of Dr. Erin Goley’s laboratory. Her thesis work involved characterizing mechanisms of adaptation to...

Learn more about Erika Smith, Ph.D.

Max Freedman, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Contact: robert.freedman2@nih.gov

Education:

B.S., Vassar College

Max Freedman graduated from Vassar College in 2024 with a B.A. in biology and science & technology in society (STS). In his undergraduate research, Max characterized the role of eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) in translation initiation. Max joined BOSU in July 2024 to investigate regulatory RNAs in spirochetes.

Learn more about Max Freedman, B.S.

Julia Silberman, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Contact: julia.silberman@nih.gov

Education:

B.S., Tufts University

Julia Silberman graduated from Tufts University in 2023 with a B.S. in biochemistry. In her undergraduate research, Julia examined inhibition of intein-splicing as a prospective antimicrobial strategy. Julia joined BOSU in June 2023 to investigate the cell biology of spirochetes.

Learn more about Julia Silberman, B.S.

Photo of Dr. Philip Adams Research Group Members in Summer 2024.

Photo of Dr. Philip Adams Research Group Members in Summer 2023

Photo of Dr. Philip Adams Research Group Members in Summer 2022.

Photo of Dr. Philip Adams Research Group Members in Summer 2021.

Former Research Group Members

Ryan Fishman, Postbaccalaureate Fellow 2023-2024, Current Position: Medical Student, Duke University, School of Medicine
Daniel Soliman, Postbaccalaureate Fellow 2022-2023, Current Position: Medical Student, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine
Emily Petroni, Postbaccalaureate Fellow 2021-2023, Current Position: Medical Student, Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine
Daniel Tetreault, Postbaccalaureate Fellow 2020-2022, Current Position: PhD Student, Cornell University, Microbiology
Maxime Zamba-Campero, Postbaccalaureate Fellow 2019-2021, Current Position: PhD Student, University of Pennsylvania, Cell and Molecular Biology

Former Summer Interns

Haden Fincham, Summer 2024, Current Position: Undergraduate Student, West Virginia Wesleyan College
Raghib Nihal, Summer 2022, Current Position: Medical Student, University of Virginia, School of Medicine

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Photo of Dr. Philip Adams Research Group

December 17, 2024

Moutsopoulos Research Group

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Moutsopoulos Research Group

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Niki M. Moutsopoulos, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Chief, Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome
Chief, Human Barrier Immunity Section

Provides direct clinical care to patients at NIH Clinical Center

Education:

D.D.S., Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Ph.D., University of Maryland Baltimore/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD

Dr. Moutsopoulos received a D.D.S. degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, completed her specialization in periodontology at the University of Maryland, and obtained a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Maryland while working in the laboratory of Dr. Sharon Wahl at the NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Following her Ph.D., she remained at NIH...

Learn more about Niki M. Moutsopoulos, D.D.S., Ph.D.

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November 14, 2024

Groshong Research Group

Read more about Groshong Research Group

Our current lab is comprised of people from a variety of scientific backgrounds. Our interdisciplinary approach adds to the overarching goal to create science that has many different perspectives. Each of our current lab members specialize in their own project with a focus on Lyme disease spirochete, B. burgdorferi, and relapsing fever spirochete, B. hermsii.

With almost 30,000 cases reported in the United States and an estimated 300,000 cases annually, Lyme disease is the leading vector-borne disease in the United States. In contrast, from 1990 to 2011, there were only 504 confirmed cases of relapsing fever reported. The reduced incidence of relapsing fever has resulted in relapsing fever spirochetes being significantly understudied. However, given that B. burgdorferi and B. hermsii have ~70% identity between their chromosomes, they maintain vastly different enzootic cycles and disease states. Comparative studies between Lyme disease and relapsing fever are critical to understanding pathogen-vector-host biologies. As a lab, we have published papers on our findings and plan to continue our research in hopes of better understanding the morphological, ecological, and genetic characteristics that the Borrelia species play in the pathogen-vector-host interactions.

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Groshong Research Group

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Learn more about Ashley Groshong, Ph.D.

Ashley Groshong, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator and Chief, Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit

Contact: ashley.groshong@nih.gov

Education:

Ph.D., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

B.S., B.A., University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Dr. Groshong received a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Chemistry and English at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She began studying Borrelia burgdorferi and its virulence determinants during her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Connecticut Health Center where she studied B. burgdorferi gene regulation throughout the enzootic cycle and continued on as an Instructor of Basic Science, where she began developing her studies on amino acid acquisition by the spirochete.

Samantha D. Crane, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biological Sciences, 2017, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO

Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (Microbiology and Immunology Track), 2021, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR

My research focuses on understanding the roles of Borrelia nutritional adaptations and requirements during the enzootic cycle of Lyme disease and relapsing fever spirochetes. I am interested in characterizing the pathogenesis of tick-borne relapsing fever and host responses to Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia hermsii.

Learn more about Samantha D. Crane, Ph.D.

Kamryn T. Cregger, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

A.S., 2020, Carroll Community College, Westminster, MD

B.S., Plant Science, Minor in Entomology and Plant Pathology, 2022, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

With a continuous passion for research and knowledge, I plan to spend two years as a postbaccalaureate research fellow in the Groshong laboratory. I will conduct research in the Laboratory of Bacteriology, focusing on the Borrelia species.

Learn more about Kamryn T. Cregger, B.S.

Clayton Jarrett, M.S.

Microbiologist/Technician

Education:

M.S., Microbiology, 2000, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Arti Kataria, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biotechnology, 2011, Dr. B.R Ambedkar University, Agra, UP, India

M.S., Biotechnology, 2013, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (BHU), UP, India

Ph.D., 2020, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT-D), New Delhi, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi

Currently, I am investigating the role of amino-acid transporters in Borrelia burgdorferi.

Learn more about Arti Kataria, Ph.D.

Adison G. Linder, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Molecular Biology, Spanish minor, 2024, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

Languages Spoken: Spanish

After spending my undergraduate career conducting research in the molecular genetics behind C. elegans cytoskeletal development and intracellular trafficking, I’m excited to bring my experience to the Groshong laboratory and explore the bacterial genetics of Borrelia. I plan to spend two years as a postbac studying spirochaete physiology and nutrient acquisition before applying to Ph.D. programs.

Learn more about Adison G. Linder, B.S.

Ashley A. Wilkins, Ph.D., M.S., R.Ph.T., C.Ph.T.

Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow

Education:

A.A.S., Pharmacy Technology, 2015, Austin Community College, Austin, TX
B.S., Biology (Microbiology Track), 2018, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX
M.S., Microbiology and Immunology, 2019, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, 2024, LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA

My research focuses on understanding Borrelia burgdorferi's biology and pathogenicity. I am investigating its lipid requirements, characterizing a protein with D-Ala-D-Ala carboxypeptidase activity involved in peptidoglycan remodeling, and studying structural changes in Borrelia morphology using amino acid and peptide transport mutants. Additionally, I am exploring comparative spirochete...

Learn more about Ashley A. Wilkins, Ph.D., M.S., R.Ph.T., C.Ph.T.

Former Research Group Members

Thomas Amabile, MPH, Pursuing M.D. at Eastern Virginia Medical School
Zachary Osterwind, Pursuing B.S. at Biola University
Amira-Nuriya McKinney, B.S.

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January 13, 2025

Whitehead Research Group

Read more about Whitehead Research Group

The primary objective of the Whitehead lab is the development and early clinical evaluation of vaccines for arboviruses. Our comprehensive approach encompasses a bench-to-bedside research program involving vaccine discovery and the generation of recombinant live attenuated viruses that can be pre-clinically studied in mice, nonhuman primates, and mosquitoes before they undergo cGMP manufacture and evaluation in human clinical trials. Support of this vaccine pipeline requires research to understand the mechanisms of virus attenuation and immune presentation, as well as research to support new methods to evaluate immune responses following vaccination or infection.

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Whitehead Research Group

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Stephen S. Whitehead, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator, Arbovirus Vaccine Research Section

Education:

Ph.D., 1994, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Dr. Whitehead received his Ph.D. from Oregon State University in 1994, where he worked with Dr. Dennis Hruby. After completing postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University, he joined NIAID at the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases in 1995 as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Brian Murphy. His work focused on the development of vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus. In 2018, Dr. Whitehead...

Learn more about Stephen S. Whitehead, Ph.D.

Emerito Amaro-Carambot, B.Sc.

Biologist

Education:

B.S., 2001, Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao, Puerto Rico

Languages Spoken: Spanish

My research is focused on the development and support of pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of live-attenuated virus vaccines for flavivirus, specifically dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) (BSL-3). Some of the techniques I use are NGS and Sanger sequencing, maintenance of cell cultures, flow cytometry, real-time PCR...

Learn more about Emerito Amaro-Carambot, B.Sc.

Elaine Lamirande, B.Sc.

Biologist

Education:

B.S., 1989, Zoology, Duke University, Durham, NC

I study dengue, Zika, and other flaviviruses in the Arbovirus Vaccine Research Section, where we develop and evaluate vaccine candidates. I also assist with insectary husbandry and in managing the lab.

Learn more about Elaine Lamirande, B.Sc.

Saurabh Kumar, M.S., Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2019, Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
M.S., 2010, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Assam, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi, Assamese

My research interest is in understanding the molecular mechanisms of attenuation of viral vaccine strains and developing safe and efficacious flavivirus vaccine candidates.

Learn more about Saurabh Kumar, M.S., Ph.D.

William Stone, B.S.

Predoctoral Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2019, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA

I am primarily interested in the factors contributing to outbreaks of vector-borne diseases and the interplay between the diseases and vector arthropods. I am also interested in the biosecurity landscape, including new and emerging threats resulting from new technologies, as well as the development of policies and countermeasures to address them.

Learn more about William Stone, B.S.

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May 17, 2024

Dolan Research Group

Read more about Dolan Research Group

The Quantitative Virology and Evolution Unit focuses on understanding the dynamic and heterogenous processes of RNA virus infection and evolution. We characterize virus evolution and host-virus interactions across spatial and temporal scales using experimental tools, including high-resolution sequencing and live-cell microscopy, along with computational phylogenetic and bioinformatic tools. Projects in the lab include single-cell and single-genome sequencing of within-host virus evolution and host responses, phylogenetic reconstruction and evolutionary biochemistry in emerging RNA viruses, and design and analysis of mutational and functional genetic screens.

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Dolan Research Group

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Learn more about Patrick T. Dolan, Ph.D.

Patrick T. Dolan, Ph.D.

Unit Chief, Quantitative Virology and Evolution Unit
Earl Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator

Education:

Ph.D., 2014, Virology/Computational Systems Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

B.S., 2007, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Patrick T. Dolan, Ph.D., is an experimental virologist and computational biologist whose work focuses primarily on the evolution and host-virus interactions of positive-sense RNA viruses. In the fall of 2021, Patrick began as unit chief of the Quantitative Virology and Evolution Unit at NIAID in Bethesda, MD, where he will continue to study the forces that shape the long- and short-term evolution of RNA virus populations.

William Bakhache, Ph.D.

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2020, Biology, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
M.S., 2016, Genomics and Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
M.S., 2015, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
B.S., 2014, Life and Earth Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

Languages Spoken: Arabic, French

William is a visiting postdoctoral fellow in the Quantitative Virology and Evolution Unit led by Dr. Patrick Dolan. William’s research is focused on studying the evolutionary constraints of RNA virus evolution. He has adapted deep mutational scanning methods to scan for fitness effects of mutations in viral genomes. In his primary work, William has uncovered enterovirus A’s structural plasticity...

Learn more about William Bakhache, Ph.D.

James Bruns, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S. Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, 2023, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Languages Spoken: German

James is a second-year Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow in the Quantitative Virology and Evolution Unit led by Dr. Patrick Dolan. James’ work is focused on studying the viral kinetics of poliovirus (PV1) in the context of IRES mutants and how they interact within cells. The hope is to understand the interplay between two phenotypically distinct viruses using luminescent assays and computational...

Learn more about James Bruns, B.S.

Nathânia Dábilla, Ph.D.

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2021, Microbiology and Virology, Federal University of Goiás, Goiás, Brazil
M.S., 2016, Microbiology and Virology, Federal University of Goiás, Goiás, Brazil
B.S., 2013, Biomedical Sciences, College União de Goyazes, Goiás, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

During my Master’s and Ph.D. training, I worked mainly with the molecular epidemiology of norovirus with samples collected from children and immunocompromised patients (2014-2021). During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked in a multi-center collaboration to perform the evolutionary and epidemiological track of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in Goias, Brazil. In January 2022, I began my postdoctoral...

Learn more about Nathânia Dábilla, Ph.D.

Jack T. Dorman, B.S.

Predoctoral Fellow (NIH-JHU)

Education:

B.S., 2022, Microbiology and Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

I investigate the evolution of flaviviruses, focusing on dengue and West Nile viruses. I combine computational approaches like ancestral reconstruction and protein modeling with experimental techniques such as deep mutational scanning and noninfectious reporter assays. I seek to identify how the structural proteins of these viruses navigated selection over the course of the recent decades and...

Learn more about Jack T. Dorman, B.S.

Michelle Law, M.D., Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2024, Virology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

MBBS, 2017, Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, United Kingdom

Languages Spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese

Michelle is a visiting postdoctoral fellow in the Quantitative Virology and Evolution Unit led by Dr. Patrick Dolan. Her research interests are in positive-sense RNA virus replication complexes and their role in virus evolution.

Learn more about Michelle Law, M.D., Ph.D.

Lauren McCormick, B.S.

Predoctoral Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2021, Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Lauren is investigating the diversity and evolution of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) T-cell epitopes throughout the natural history of the virus to assess the role that T-cell immune escape has played in its evolutionary trajectory. By advancing our understanding of the identity, evolutionary trajectory, and evolvability of EV-A71 T-cell epitopes, Lauren hopes to provide insights that will inform the...

Learn more about Lauren McCormick, B.S.

Walker Symonds-Orr, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2020, Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA

Former Research Group Members

B. Adam Catching, Ph.D.
Christine Anastacia Mariskanish, B.S.

Section

Content Coordinator

February 28, 2025

Yewdell Research Group

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The mission of the Yewdell lab is to extend a basic understanding of the interaction between the host and viruses and to use viruses as tools to better understand cell biology.

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Yewdell Research Group

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Jonathan Wilson Yewdell, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief, Cellular Biology Section

Education:

M.D., Ph.D., 1981, University of Pennsylvania

A.B., 1975, Princeton University

Dr. Yewdell received an A.B. in biochemistry magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1975, working with Dr. Arnold Levine for his undergraduate thesis on immune recognition of virus-transformed cells. He received an M.D. and a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981, working with Dr. Walter Gerhard on using monoclonal antibodies to understand influenza A virus hemagglutinin antigenicity and function. In 1987, Dr. Yewdell joined the Laboratory of Viral Diseases and in 1993 was appointed to lead its Cellular Biology Section.

Learn more about Jonathan Wilson Yewdell, M.D., Ph.D.

James S. Gibbs, B.S., R.Ph., Ph.D.

Biologist

Education:

Ph.D., 1990, Harvard GSAS, Division of Medical Sciences, Boston, MA

B.S., 1982, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Boston, MA

James attended the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, receiving a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and becoming a registered pharmacist in Massachusetts, a credential maintained to this date. After graduation, James attended the Harvard GSAS at Harvard Medical School to study herpes simplex virus DNA replication with Dr. Donald M. Coen. James did a postdoc with Dr. Ronald Desrosiers...

Learn more about James S. Gibbs, B.S., R.Ph., Ph.D.

Ivan Kosik, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., 2011, Virology, Institute of Virology,Slovak Academy of Science, Bratislava, Slovakia

M.S., 2007, Molecular Biology, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia

Languages Spoken: Slovak

I am a viral immunologist aspiring to understand antigenicity, neutralization, and viral evolution. Using the influenza virus, I study relationships between viral architecture, antigenic sites, and antibody properties such as valency, flexibility, and avidity. I am exploring viral populations shaped by antibodies to reveal viral evasion strategies and identify weak spots and vaccine targets.

Learn more about Ivan Kosik, Ph.D.

Jaroslav Hollý, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2017, Virology, Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia

M.S., 2013, Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia

B.S., 2011, Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia

Languages Spoken: Slovak

Jaro’s doctoral dissertation focused on an immune response to vaccination against influenza A virus conserved epitopes (M2e). From there, he joined Jon Yewdell's lab as a postdoctoral fellow, where he employed ribosomal profiling techniques in the immunopeptidomics study of cancer cells, which was published in Cell Reports. Jaro is focusing his research on MHC-I antigen processing and presentation...

Learn more about Jaroslav Hollý, Ph.D.

Amir Ghorbani, D.V.M, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow IRTA

Education:

Ph.D., 2022, Comparative and Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Residency/Ph.D., 2020, Avian Diseases, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

D.V.M, 2012, Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

Languages Spoken: Persian/Farsi

Amir Ghorbani is a viral immunologist studying influenza virus-host interactions. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher under the guidance of Dr. Jonathan Yewdell at the Laboratory of Viral Diseases. His research delves into an unconventional realm of influenza virus genome translation, extending viral protein translation and T-cell immunosurveillance to formerly “non-coding” viral sequences...

Learn more about Amir Ghorbani, D.V.M, Ph.D.

Alberto D López-Muñoz, Ph.D., M.S.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2019, Virology, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre, Madrid, Spain

M.S., 2014, Molecular Biomedicine, Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre, Madrid, Spain

Languages Spoken: Spanish

Dr. López-Muñoz is a virologist passionate about understanding how viruses evade and modulate the human immune system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he discovered and explored the role of surface nucleocapsid protein of human coronaviruses in immunomodulation. He is currently expanding his findings on coronaviruses to other viral nucleocapsid proteins as modulators of the immune response...

Learn more about Alberto D López-Muñoz, Ph.D., M.S.

Portrait of Alberto D López-Muñoz, Ph.D., M.S.

Aizan Embong, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2022, Virology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

B.S., 2017, Biotechnology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

Languages Spoken: Malay

Aizan joined the Cellular Biology Section within the Laboratory of Viral Diseases in November 2022 after successfully defending his doctoral dissertation at the University of Rochester Medical Center. His doctoral work was on characterizing the role of broadly cross-reactive antigen-specific memory B cells against divergent human pathogens. Aizan’s current main interest is understanding the role...

Learn more about Aizan Embong, Ph.D.

Zhe Hu, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2020, Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

M.S., 2017, Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

B.S., 2014, Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Shandong, China

Languages Spoken: Mandarin

Zhe Hu is a visiting fellow in the Laboratory of Viral Diseases, Cellular Biology Section, under the mentorship of Dr. Jonathan Yewdell, where she is working on coronavirus rescue. Zhe Hu graduated in 2020 with a Ph.D. in veterinary medicine from the China Agricultural University School of Veterinary Medicine, where she worked with the animal influenza research team in the Key Laboratory of Animal...

Learn more about Zhe Hu, Ph.D.

Tiansheng Li

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2018, Fudan University

B.S., 2013, NanChang University

Languages Spoken: Chinese

Dr. Li obtained his B.S. in biotechnology from NanChang University in 2013 and completed his Ph.D. program in microbiology at Fudan University in 2018. He currently serves as a postdoctoral fellow collaborating with Dr. Jonathan Yewdell in the Cellular Biology Section, where his research focuses on studying human coronaviruses and their evolution to evade host immunity. Prior to joining Dr...

Learn more about Tiansheng Li

Former Research Group Members

Neetij Krishnan, B.A., Postbac IRTA
Nicholas Usher, B.S., Postbac IRTA
Alec Zhan, B.S., Postbac IRTA
Nathan Fridlyand, Ph.D., Visiting Fellow
Jefferson Santos, Ph.D., Visiting Fellow
Devin Dersh, Ph.D., Research Fellow
Samantha Muccilli, Ph.D., Rocky-Beth Postdoctoral Fellow

Section

Content Manager

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January 10, 2025

Barry Research Group

Read more about Barry Research Group

The Tuberculosis Research Section (TBRS) is a multidisciplinary group composed of chemists, microbiologists, veterinarians, imaging scientists, and clinicians with a shared objective of improving chemotherapy for tuberculosis (TB) patients. TBRS projects span chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, host-pathogen interactions, animal models of experimental chemotherapy, and experimental medicine clinical studies in TB patients. TBRS is highly interactive with the global community involved in rejuvenating TB drug discovery, and TBRS scientists were part of the team that discovered Pretomanid, recently FDA approved for multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB treatment.

TBRS led the clinical effort to evaluate linezolid for the treatment of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB disease, an effort that ultimately led to the global usage of this agent for highly drug-resistant TB. TBRS, working in partnership with Merck & Co., recently completed the preclinical development of a safer, TB-selective analog of linezolid for use in drug-sensitive disease, and this agent is in Phase 1 safety studies. TBRS has been part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded TB Drug Accelerator (tbdrugaccelerator.org) since its inception. TBRS has many collaborators across the globe and, as a result, is the most highly cited research group working in the field of TB, according to Thomson-Reuters (https://archive.sciencewatch.com/ana/st/tub/09augSTTubBarr/). TBRS has over 300 publications in the scientific literature on TB.

TBRS is team-led by Dr. Barry and three highly talented staff scientists. TBRS’ clinical activities take place mostly in South Africa, enabled by Dr. Barry’s honorary appointment to the Institute for Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cape Town. TBRS’ clinical studies are underpinned by attempting to better understand disease in TB patients through the application of PET-CT imaging and comparisons of lesion types with nonhuman primate models of disease where we have developed the capacity to conduct similar PET-CT studies.

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Barry Research Group

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Learn more about Clifton Barry III, Ph.D.

Clifton Barry III, Ph.D.

Chief, Tuberculosis Research Section

Education:

Ph.D., 1989, Cornell University

Dr. Clifton E. Barry III received his Ph.D. in organic and bioorganic chemistry in 1989 from Cornell University, studying the biosynthesis of complex natural products. Following postdoctoral research in the chemistry department at Johns Hopkins University (1989 to 1992), Dr. Barry joined the NIH Intramural Research Program at the NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. In 1998, he...

Ayan Abdi, B.Sc.

PET/CT Research Associate

Education:

B.Sc., Medical Radiation Science, 2006, University of Toronto, Canada

B.Sc., Biotechnology, 2001, Brock University, St. Catharines, Canada

Ayan is a nuclear medicine technologist with certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB) and computed tomography (ARRT). Ayan has over fifteen years of clinical experience and almost four years of animal research experience. Ayan is highly dedicated to the goal of tuberculosis research at NIAID and hopes to one day eradicate the disease.

Learn more about Ayan Abdi, B.Sc.

Alfred Agbekudzi, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology, 2015, University of Ghana, Legon

Ph.D., Biological Sciences, 2023, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

Languages Spoken: Twi, Ewe

DprE1 is a crucial enzyme involved in the cell wall biosynthesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a target for the antituberculosis drug quabodepistat. I am working to elucidate the structure of DprE1 when bound to quabodepistat. In addition, I am interested in investigating collateral resistance and susceptibility phenotypes to other tuberculosis drugs in the presence of quabodepistat...

Learn more about Alfred Agbekudzi, Ph.D.

Dennis Steve Benavides Argueta, AALAS

Education:

AALAS, 2021, Laboratory Animal Technician

AALAS, 2019, Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician

Languages Spoken: Spanish

Dennis enjoys his work as a veterinary research associate in the tuberculosis (TB) Imaging Program. He is fascinated by the hands-on research involved in vaccine studies and enjoys learning from and working with the investigators in TBRS.

Learn more about Dennis Steve Benavides Argueta, AALAS

Rohin Biswas, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2025, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Jersey
B.Sc. (Research), 2017, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore

Languages Spoken: Bengali, Hindi

Rohin’s research interest is primarily in chemical biology. He is working on the synthesis and utility of probes to label Mtb lipids and understand the role of these lipids in Mtb infection. Furthermore, Rohin is interested in developing tools to explore the biology of Mtb lesions and exploit that understanding to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Learn more about Rohin Biswas, Ph.D.

Michael B. Boden, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2024, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD

Michael studied biology and biochemistry but has a strong background in organic chemistry. In TBRS, he is working on a chemical biology project studying a gene related to long-chain coenzyme A synthetase and how it is related to drug efficacy.

Learn more about Michael B. Boden, B.S.

Helena Ingrid Boshoff, Ph.D.

Associate Scientist / Staff Scientist (core)

Education:

Ph.D., 2000, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Languages Spoken: English, Afrikaans, Swedish, Dutch

Helena’s research focuses on the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, elucidating the metabolism of the pathogen under different physiological conditions, identifying and validating drug targets, understanding mechanisms of survival in non-replicating persistence and drug tolerance, in addition to high-throughput screening against BSL-3 pathogens. She is a key staff member in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-supported grant under the Tuberculosis Drug Accelerator program.

Learn more about Helena Ingrid Boshoff, Ph.D.

Aidan Thomas Boving, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2023, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

Since earning his undergraduate degrees, Aidan has continued pursuing his interest in microbiology, natural product discovery, and biochemistry in TBRS. His projects include characterizing an anti-mycobacterial natural product and creating a protocol for mycobacteria ribosome stalling to improve our understanding of an antibiotic of interest.

Learn more about Aidan Thomas Boving, B.S.

Alexandra Bozan, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biotechnology, 2023, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Languages Spoken: Spanish

My current project is cloning/overexpression of the Mtb metK gene in E. coli. I have a broad range of interests, from molecular biology and infectious disease to immunology. I am seeking employment in either an academic or industry setting that will enable me to explore my interests. This will help me determine a subject area for my graduate studies or a topic for my Ph.D. research.

Learn more about Alexandra Bozan, B.S.

Emmanuel K. Dayao, D.V.M.

Veterinary Research Scientist

Education:

D.V.M., 1983, De La Salle Araneta University, Metro Manila, Philippines

Previous private practice and many years of experience in preclinical studies have brought Emmanuel into the field of tuberculosis (TB) studies. Emmanuel is interested in and focuses on physiological changes in the pre-clinical hosts.

Learn more about Emmanuel K. Dayao, D.V.M.

Maurine Fan, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.A., 2023, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY

Languages Spoken: Chinese, Mandarin

Maurine’s research project is high throughput screening of small molecules, natural products, and compound libraries that have the potential to be drug targets essential for Mtb growth. The team identifies large quantities of compound leads that inhibit different Mtb targets under a variety of conditions (hypoxia and starvation) in a relatively short amount of time.

Learn more about Maurine Fan, B.S.

Peter A. Filbrandt, B.A.

Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow

Education:

B.A., 2023, Albion College, Albion, MI

Peter’s research interests focus on the therapeutic targeting of gene regulation and energy production mechanisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. He hopes to help characterize new targets and therapeutics of Mtb that impede drug resistance.

Learn more about Peter A. Filbrandt, B.A.

Peter M. Finin, M.D.

Clinical Fellow

Education:

M.D., 2016, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI

Infectious Diseases Fellowship, 2021, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD

Internal Medicine Residency, 2019, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Languages Spoken: Swahili

Peter is interested in researching the mycobacterial electron transport chain. By better understanding its physiology and how it responds to perturbation, he believes we can develop better treatments that target this pathway in pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Learn more about Peter M. Finin, M.D.

Veronica Gantert, M.Sc.

Laboratory Manager

Education:

M.Sc., 2014, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

B.Sc., 2009, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

Languages Spoken: German, Tagalog, Cebuano

As the lab manager, Veronica ensures the BSL-2 and BSL-3 labs are running well and that lab members have all the resources they need to perform their work well. She does everything from ordering supplies, training members, troubleshooting instrumentation, and developing SOPs to finding solutions for various issues.

Learn more about Veronica Gantert, M.Sc.

Michael Brendan Goodwin, M.S.

Chemist

Education:

M.S., Chemistry, 1996, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

B.S., Chemistry, 1993, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

Michael performs instrument support for research scientists specializing in chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Learn more about Michael Brendan Goodwin, M.S.

Sarah E. Hanson, B.A.

Predoctoral Fellow

Education:

Currently pursuing Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
B.A., 2020, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Languages Spoken: French

After finishing her undergrad at Emory University, Sarah joined the NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases laboratory for a three-year postbac studying the outer membrane proteins of gram-negative bacteria, which inspired her to pursue her Ph.D. at NIAID through a joint program with NIH and Johns Hopkins University. She is interested in characterizing the proteins...

Learn more about Sarah E. Hanson, B.A.

Naseer Khan, D.Phil.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

D.Phil., 2020, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

M.Sc., 2007, King’s College London, United Kingdom

B.Sc. Hons., 2006, University of Greenwich, United Kingdom

Languages Spoken: Urdu

Naseer hails from a small town in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan. He did his undergraduate degree from the University of Greenwich (UK) and then obtained his M.Sc. from King’s College, London. After working for several years at NIH, he joined Professor Ben Davis’ laboratory at Oxford University as a D.Phil. student.

Learn more about Naseer Khan, D.Phil.

Sohee Angela Kim

Summer/Fall Intern

Education:

Currently pursuing B.A., 2025, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY

Languages Spoken: Korean

Sohee’s research project focuses on the use of alternate quinone, specifically polyketide quinone, in mycobacterial respiration.

Learn more about Sohee Angela Kim

Ashish Kumar, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2024, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India

M. Tech., Biotechnology, 2015, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, India

B. Tech., Biotechnology, 2013, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi

During his doctoral research, Ashish investigated the regulatory role of G-quadruplexes in mycobacterial transcription and translation processes. His current research interests focus on elucidating the mechanisms of action for potential tuberculosis (TB) therapeutics. Ashish is particularly passionate about unraveling the complex factors contributing to drug resistance in Mycobacterium...

Learn more about Ashish Kumar, Ph.D.

Neha Malhotra, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2017, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi

Neha Malhotra obtained her doctorate from the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India, in 2017. She specializes in molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry. Her doctoral research focused on understanding the role of eukaryotic-type Ser/Thr kinases-mediated phosphorylation on mycobacterial cAMP-dependent adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase. This work identified the...

Learn more about Neha Malhotra, Ph.D.

Nicholaus P. Mnyambwa, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2019, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania

Languages Spoken: Swahili

Complete elimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis population with anti-tuberculosis medications is difficult even when the bacteria are susceptible to drugs. Drug-induced stress places the pathogen under intense pressure that can, in turn, contribute to upregulation of survival mechanisms, leading to often incurable infections. Nicholaus is investigating novel mechanisms utilized by the pathogen to circumvent drugs during treatment.

Learn more about Nicholaus P. Mnyambwa, Ph.D.

Nilesh Mukundan, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2024, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA

Languages Spoken: Tamil

Nilesh’s background is primarily in cell and molecular biology. In TBRS, his research is focused on understanding the structure and function of the cytochrome bd protein in the electron transport chain of Mtb and how these elements react/change in response to different cellular and environmental conditions.

Learn more about Nilesh Mukundan, B.S.

Sangmi Oh, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., 2010, Chemistry Department, Seoul National University, Korea

M.S., 1997, Chemistry Department, Ewha Womans University, Korea

B.S., 1995, Chemistry Department, Ewha Womans University, Korea

Languages Spoken: Korean

In 2010, Dr. Oh received her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea. She later worked as a scientist at the Institut Pasteur Korea (IPK) on the medicinal chemistry team. In 2015, she joined TBRS as a visiting fellow and was appointed as a staff scientist in 2020.

Learn more about Sangmi Oh, Ph.D.

Partha Paul, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2023, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, India
M.Sc., 2016, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi, Bengali, Assamese

Partha studied the virulence mechanisms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, focusing on gene regulation and protein-protein interactions during his Ph.D. In his postdoctoral laboratory, he is interested in and will be working on mechanisms of drug resistance, identifying drug targets, and finding the pathways that are impacted by different anti-mycobacterial drugs. He is also interested in tuberculosis...

Learn more about Partha Paul, Ph.D.

Neha Quadir, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2022, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India

M.Sc., 2012, Integral University, Lucknow, India

B.Sc., 2010, Mody Institute of Technology and Science, Rajasthan, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi, Urdu

Neha has been actively working on projects including deciphering the mode of action of a novel drug candidate MMV46, understanding the drug uptake mechanism of various small molecule inhibitors across the different mycobacterial compartments, and elucidating the biosynthetic capacity of Mtb present in various lesions or caseum.

Learn more about Neha Quadir, Ph.D.

Jose Santinni O. Roma, B.S.

Project Manager

Education:

B.S., 2014, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA

Languages Spoken: Tagalog

Jose Santinni Roma obtained his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology with a specialization in microbiology from the University of Richmond. In 2016, he joined a lab at the Oregon Health and Science University to study Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell wall proteins. Jose arrived at NIAID in 2018 as a scientist in the Tuberculosis Research Section, working with the high throughput...

Learn more about Jose Santinni O. Roma, B.S.

Becky Y. Sloan

Veterinary Research Associate

Education:

HSD, 1992

Becky performs technical procedures such as, but not limited to, PET/CT scanning while working with radioisotopes within an ABSL-3 environment.

Learn more about Becky Y. Sloan

Elena Trifonov, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2019, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

Languages Spoken: Russian, Hebrew

Elena’s research projects include synthesizing chemical probes, exploring the mechanism of action of hits of interest against Mtb as potential anti-tubercular agents, and identifying and approving the function of particular secondary metabolite of Mtb that is related to host-Mtb interaction in order to understand the mechanism of Mtb evasion of the human immune system.

Learn more about Elena Trifonov, Ph.D.

Laura Ellen Via, Ph.D.

Associate Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., 1993, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

B.S., 1984, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

After working in cancer drug development in biopharma, Laura focused on tuberculosis (TB) drug discovery with an emphasis on host-pathogen interaction. Focusing on building informative animal models of TB, she directs the TB Imaging Program, a team that brings together the disciplines of microbiology, animal science, histopathology, and radiologic imaging to assess compound activity and explore...

Learn more about Laura Ellen Via, Ph.D.

Joel P. Vincent, M.P.H.

Clinical Trials Specialist

Education:

M.P.H., 2015, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA

B.S., 2012, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Joel contributes to the implementation and oversight of clinical research conducted by the Tuberculosis Research Section.

Learn more about Joel P. Vincent, M.P.H.

Danielle M. Weiner, B.S.

Senior Research Associate

Education:

B.S., Animal Sciences, 2007, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Danielle’s research focuses on preclinical models of tuberculosis, primarily in chemotherapeutic efficacy, as well as pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD).

Learn more about Danielle M. Weiner, B.S.

Xiang (Shawn) Yu, Ph.D.

Clinical Data Manager

Education:

Ph.D., 2007, Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

M.S., 2017, Applied Statistics, Pennsylvania State University, World Campus

B.A., 2000, Biochemistry, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA

Languages Spoken: Mandarin, Shanghainese

Shawn’s official role in TBRS is data acquisition, management, and analysis for all the ongoing clinical trials. He works closely with the TBRS clinical team, onsite clinical staff in South Africa and China, and external laboratory staff processing clinical samples.

Learn more about Xiang (Shawn) Yu, Ph.D.

Former Research Group Members

Yumi Park, Postdoctoral Fellow, Konyang Univ. COM, Daejeon, Korea
Marlene Espinoza, Postdoctoral Fellow, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York
Yong Mo Ahn, Postdoctoral Fellow, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NCATS/NIH
Yingda L. Xie , Clinical Fellow, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Gareth Prosser, Postdoctoral Fellow, Resident Scientist, Drug Discovery Unit, University of Dundee, UK
Katharina Kolbe, Postdoctoral Fellow, Medical Student, University of Lübeck, Germany
Qinglan Wang, Postdoctoral Fellow, Assistant Professor, Sichuan University, Chongqing, China
Hee-Jeong Yang, Postdoctoral Fellow, Imaging Analyst, Laulima Goverment Solutions, IRF, Frederick, Maryland
Andaleeb Sajid, Postdoctoral Fellow, National Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Cell Biology
Michael Richardson, Veterinary Pathology Fellow, Veterinary Pathologist, IDEXX Reference Laboratories, Westbrook, Maine
M. Daben Libardo, Postdoctoral Fellow, Senior Scientist (Infectious Diseases), Merck & Co., West Point, Pennsylvania
Azeeza Shaik, Postdoctoral Fellow, Scientific Manager, Novick Biosciences, Hyderabad, India
Gail Louw, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Cape Town, IDM, Cape Town, RSA
Garth Abrahams, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, RSA
Gwendolyn Marriner, Postdoctoral Fellow, MPI Research, Translational Imaging Center, Mattawan, Michigan
Hyeeun Bang, Postdoctoral Fellow, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
Nitin Pal Kalia, Postdoctoral Fellow, Lee Kong Chian SOM, Singapore
Sri Kumar Veleti, Postdoctoral Fellow, INTEL Corporation, Hillsboro, Oregon
Surendra Jonnala, Postdoctoral Fellow, Keerthana Labs, Hyderabad, India
Yoshitaka Tateishi, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Bacteriology, Niigata University SOM, Niigata, Japan
Jenna Andrews, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Ph.D. Student, Yale University
Jessica Medrano, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, M.D./Ph.D. student, University of Pittsburgh
Alice Bell, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Medical Student, Georgetown University
Jonathan Nicklas, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Ph.D. Student, NIH Graduate Partnerships Program, NHGRI/Georgetown
He Eun Chun, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Clinical Research Coordinator, University of Maryland, Baltimore
K. Jesse Lopez, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Medical Student, George Washington University
Nelson R. Perez, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Medical Student, San Juan Bautista SOM, Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caroline Duncombe, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Ph.D. Student, University of Washington, Seattle
Ana La O Vazquez, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Medical Student, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, Florida
Gloria Kim, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Law Student, University of North Carolina Law
Caitlyn Sebastian, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Ph.D. Student, University of Alabama, Birmingham
Emily Wolf, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Nursing Student, Central Carolina Technical College
Brock Brethour, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Ph.D. Student, University of Maryland, Baltimore
Cassandra Jordan, Postbaccalaureate Fellow, Ph.D. Student, Uniformed Services University
Lila Foley Berle, M.D. candidate, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

Section

Content Manager

Content Coordinator

Photo of Dr. Clif Barry Research Group Members

March 11, 2025

Oyesola Research Group

Read more about Oyesola Research Group

The Immune Priming Unit is focused on understanding how previous infection and exposure to environmental antigens can reprogram the immune system to influence outcomes to subsequent insults and injury.

Helminths infections are widespread and affect over a billion people worldwide. These worms have co-evolved with their vertebrate host for hundreds of millions of years before recent regional efforts aimed at eradication. Some of these worms can migrate through different tissue sites, such as the lungs, to induce a Type 2 inflammatory and regulatory response. This response can persist even after worm clearance and may influence responses to subsequent immunological challenges.

Furthermore, humans are constantly exposed to various antigens and microbes in their immediate environment. These microbes can play important roles in shaping immune response and contributing to immune variation within a population. However, use of mice in specific pathogen free (SPF) facilities has not favored an understanding of the contribution of an individual environmental history in responses to subsequent insults.

Our unit is focused on understanding how helminth infection and exposure to environmental antigens can reprogram the immune system to influence outcomes to other insults. To answer this question, we use various murine models, infection models, environmental models, multicolor flow cytometry and other single cell approaches to dissect the contributions of reprogrammed innate cells to the development of host resistance and/or susceptibility to other insults.

Short Title

Oyesola Research Group

Person List Page Type

Oyebola Oyesola, DVM, Ph.D

Oyebola Oyesola, DVM, Ph.D.

NIH Independent Research Scholar

Education:

Ph.D. Immunology and Infectious Disease, Cornell University

M.Sc. Infection and Immunity, University of Leicester

DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan

Dr. Oyesola obtained her Veterinary Degree (DVM) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria graduating with several distinctions at the end of her study at Ibadan. Motivated by her interest to better understand diseases of global and zoonotic importance, Dr. Oyesola pursued a postgraduate MSc. training in Infection and Immunity at the University of Leicester as a Commonwealth Shared Scholar. Following this, as a recipient of the Cornell African Scholar and Graduate Research Award, she obtained her Ph.D in Immunology and Infectious Disease at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her dissertation work in the Tait-Wojno lab focused on dissecting the role of prostaglandin D2 in the regulation of mucosal responses during Type 2 inflammation.

Learn more about Oyebola Oyesola, DVM, Ph.D.

Ameera Ayaz

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Kelsey Bledsoe

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Lucas Lopez

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Section

Content Manager

Content Coordinator

January 07, 2025

Prevots Research Group

Read more about Prevots Research Group

The current primary research focus of the Epidemiology and Population Studies Section is to understand population-based risk factors for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease by associating population data with large-scale geographic datasets and applying geospatial analytic techniques. Our research group focuses on the epidemiology of NTM disease, including estimating the burden and trends of NTM in the United States, as well as risk factors for disease susceptibility and progression.

NTM are mycobacteria typically acquired from soil and water. Thus, our research is interdisciplinary because we draw on expertise from other fields, including microbiology and geology. Because NTM is not a reportable condition, we have identified other large, population-based datasets for estimating burden and trends. To identify risk factors for infection and disease, we identify large national and subnational human population datasets and link them to geographic data. We are also involved in NTM clinical research related to identifying determinants of disease susceptibility and progression.

We are a dynamic and friendly group of Ph.D. epidemiologists and trainees with advanced training in epidemiologic study design and analysis and experience in public health settings, as well as clinical and laboratory research. Our group conducts research and mentoring in a collaborative environment and values a team approach.

Short Title

Prevots Research Group

Person List Page Type

D. Rebecca Prevots, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Senior Investigator, Epidemiology and Population Studies Section

Education:

Ph.D., M.P.H., University of Michigan

Languages Spoken: French, Portuguese, Spanish

Dr. Prevots began her public health research career in 1985 as a public health advisor for the New York City Department of Health. In 1988 she earned her M.P.H. from the University of Michigan, and then in 1991 her Ph.D. in epidemiology. Upon completing her Ph.D., she joined the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the CDC. She joined NIAID in 2003, and in 2007 she became head of the newly created Epidemiology and Population Studies Unit (EPSU). In 2024, Dr. Prevots became a tenured Senior Investigator and Chief of the Epidemiology and Population Studies Section (EPSS).

Learn more about D. Rebecca Prevots, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Jennifer Laurel Kwan, Ph.D.

Mathematical Statistician

Education:

Ph.D., Epidemiology, 2010, University of California Davis, CA

B.A., Biological Sciences, 2005, Whittier College, CA

Dr. Kwan received her Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of California, Davis, with designated emphasis in vector-borne disease. As a student nestled between the medical and veterinary schools, she was well trained in zoonoses and the complex interfaces between people, animals, and their environment. She specializes in study designs for both complex clinical trials and observational studies...

Learn more about Jennifer Laurel Kwan, Ph.D.

Ettie M. Lipner, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Staff Scientist I

Education:

Ph.D., Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY

M.P.H., University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA

B.A., William Smith College, Geneva, NY

Ettie is a staff scientist in the Epidemiology and Population Studies Section in the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology. Her work focuses on understanding the geospatial determinants and geographical variation of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary infection and disease in both the general and cystic fibrosis populations. Most recently, she focused on how trace metals in...

Learn more about Ettie M. Lipner, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Rachel A. Mercaldo, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2021, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

Dr. Rachel Mercaldo is a research fellow in the Epidemiology and Population Studies Section, NIAID. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Georgia, studying tuberculosis, Zika virus, and COVID-19 infection and disease dynamics through a mixture of spatial epidemiology, simulation, and machine learning methods. Her current research focuses on determinants of exposure and infection in the...

Learn more about Rachel A. Mercaldo, Ph.D.

Collin E. Powell, M.S.

Research Analyst

Education:

M.S., University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, CO

M.S., University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO

B.A., Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

Collin is a research analyst in the Epidemiology and Population Studies Section. He is a statistician and applied mathematician in generalized research areas which include geospatial statistics, machine learning, functional interpolation, and radial basis functions. In 2022, he received his master’s degree in statistics from the University of Colorado Denver. In 2011, he received his master’s in...

Learn more about Collin E. Powell, M.S.

Christopher S. Semancik, M.P.H., B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

M.P.H., Epidemiology/Biostatistics, 2023, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA

B.S., Biology, 2022, Tufts University, Medford, MA

Languages Spoken: Spanish

Chris Semancik is a postbaccalaureate research fellow in the Epidemiology and Population Studies Section. His current research focuses on assessing geospatial risk factors for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infection, as well as examining broader spatiotemporal disease trends in the United States. His general research interests include using epidemiologic, genomic, immunologic, and geospatial...

Learn more about Christopher S. Semancik, M.P.H., B.S.

Photo of Christopher S. Semancik, M.P.H., B.S.

Section

Content Manager

Content Coordinator

February 20, 2025

Ivanovic Research Group

Read more about Ivanovic Research Group

The Ivanovic lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of viral cell entry and progeny particle assembly. We combine molecular virology, in vitro reconstitution, biophysics, and quantitative cell biology to answer difficult-to-tackle mechanistic questions in virology and build upon those discoveries to ultimately enable prediction and prevention of undesirable viral adaptation. Our work spans diverse viral pathogens and/or their model systems, such as influenza virus, Ebola virus, coronavirus, reovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and measles virus.

Short Title

Ivanovic Research Group

Person List Page Type

Learn more about Tijana Ivanovic, Ph.D.

Tijana Ivanovic, Ph.D.

Tenure-Track Investigator, NIH Distinguished Scholar

Chief, Single Virion Biology and Biophysics Unit

Education:

Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015, Harvard University

Ph.D., Virology, 2008, Harvard University

B.S., Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 1999, University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Ivanovic was born in Serbia (former Yugoslavia), where she attended the Mathematics Gymnasium and where talented teachers inspired in her a love for biology as well as interest in the mathematical sciences and computing.

Ava Lorraine Altenbern, B.A.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.A., Biochemistry and Art History, 2023, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Within the Batey lab at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Ava researched the modulation of genetic expression by the riboswitch, a regulatory structure that is found on the 5’ untranslated regions of bacterial mRNA. Utilizing a mutagenic cloning process, her research revealed preferences for base pairing in the expression platform of the B. subtilis pbuE Adenine-Responsive Riboswitch, and she...

Learn more about Ava Lorraine Altenbern, B.A.

Nick Berg, M.S.

Predoctoral IRTA Fellow, Doctoral Candidate: Brandeis University

Education:

M.S., Molecular and Cell Biology, 2022, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

B.S., Biology and Chemistry, 2021, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Nick's research spans topics in influenza virus pleomorphism. He uses RNA-seq to examine the coevolution of influenza's surface proteins on a shape-dependent basis, and builds systems for testing antiviral DNA origami to the end of designing a molecule that neutralizes viruses of all architectures. His work combines sequencing, flow virometry, and TIRFm to unravel the shape advantage of flu.

Learn more about Nick Berg, M.S.

Callie J. Donahue, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2024, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA

B.S., 2018, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

Callie has a strong interest in host-pathogen interactions and virus entry. During her Ph.D., she used predictive network modeling to identify host pathways and protein complexes co-opted by the Ebola virus during its infection cycle. In the Ivanovic lab, she is investigating the host interactions and biophysics of pleiomorphic virus entry, focusing on virus-driven macropinocytosis.

Learn more about Callie J. Donahue, Ph.D.

Anna Jaeggi-Wong, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry and Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

Languages Spoken: German

Anna’s undergraduate research in the Ivanovic lab at Brandeis University focused on investigating determinants of influenza A virion (IAV) morphology using flow virometry. She received highest honors in biochemistry, the William P. Jencks Award in Biochemistry, and the Division of Science Prize for Outstanding Research Accomplishment by a Senior for her senior thesis. She now aims to further probe...

Learn more about Anna Jaeggi-Wong, B.S.

Tongyu (Tony) Liu, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2024, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL

B.S., 2019, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

Languages Spoken: Mandarin Chinese

Tony is interested in the virus entry, morphology, and ploidy of the influenza virus. During his Ph.D., he used deep mutational scanning and experimental evolution to examine the epistatic interaction between the two glycoproteins HA and NA on the influenza A virus. In the Ivanovic lab, he is interested in investigating the genome packaging in spherical and filamentous virus particles and the...

Learn more about Tongyu (Tony) Liu, Ph.D.

Balindile Bhekiwe Pearl Motsa, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2024, Purdue University

B.S., 2019, Michigan State University

Languages Spoken: Siswati

Balindile was born and raised in the Kingdom of Eswatini. She is interested in how we can advance and leverage biophysical techniques to better our understanding of viral-host interactions. In the Ivanovic lab, her project will be focused on elucidating the mechanism for Ebola virus membrane fusion and uncoating during entry. She is also passionate about promoting early science education in...

Learn more about Balindile Bhekiwe Pearl Motsa, Ph.D.

Ed A. Partlow III, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2022, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Ed researches the assembly pathways of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, using influenza A and mammalian orthoreovirus as model systems. Ed employs TIRF microscopy, flow cytometry, and biochemistry to understand the mechanisms of virion assembly.

Learn more about Ed A. Partlow III, Ph.D.

Steven D. Planitzer, B.S.

Predoctoral IRTA Fellow (Doctoral Candidate: Brandeis University)

Education:

B.S., Physics, 2019, Kent State University, Kent, OH

Languages Spoken: Spanish

I create supported planar bilayers to model the endosomal membrane fusion step of the influenza A virus cell entry cycle. By leveraging the high sensitivity of total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFm), I observe membrane fusion at single-virion resolution. By implementing a novel DNA oligo-mediated receptor attachment scheme, I aim to evaluate the effect of surface receptor...

Learn more about Steven D. Planitzer, B.S.

Antonio Santos del Peral, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2024, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany

M.S., Immunology, 2019, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom

B.S., Biochemistry, 2018, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain

Languages Spoken: Spanish

Antonio is interested in the interplay between viruses and the immune system. During his Ph.D., he investigated the immunological and virological factors influencing the human adaptive immune response to the yellow fever virus vaccine. In the Ivanovic lab, Antonio researches the influenza virus assembly in response to external mechanical and immunological pressures.

Learn more about Antonio Santos del Peral, Ph.D.

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