Manning Research Group

Jessica E. Manning, M.D., M.Sc.

Assistant Clinical Investigator, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research
Science Attaché, U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh and NIAID ICER CAMBODIA

Specialty(s): Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine
Provides direct clinical care to patients at NIH Clinical Center

Education:

M.D., Emory University School of Medicine

M.Sc., Harvard School of Public Health

Dr. Manning earned her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and her Master of Science in Epidemiology from Harvard School of Public Health. She completed the Doris and Howard Hiatt Residency in Global Health Equity and Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital while a clinical fellow at Harvard Medical School. From 2008 to 2015, she lived and worked in Africa and...

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Sophana Chea

Laboratory Manager

Education:

Master of Medical Biology, University of Health Sciences

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Mr. Sophana has worked on molecular biology work in pathogen metagenomic NGS in febrile patients, bats, macaques and dengue microbiome; the mNGS identification of the AMR gene maker and the immunology work in the Aedes Saliva ELISA, DENV ZIKV PRNT.

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Cheata Hou

Assistant Laboratory Technician

Education:

Bachelor’s degree, Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences.

Languages Spoken: Khmer, Mandarin, French

Ms. Cheata has performed molecular work on DNA/RNA extraction, realtime RT-PCR, cDNA library preparation, metagenomic next generation sequencing. Her work is also to maintain bio-specimen inventory including updated spreadsheets for locating all samples generated from fields sites or laboratory assays.

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Sreyngim Lay

Sequencing Lead Technician

Education:

Bachelor’s degree, Medical Laboratory, University of Health Sciences

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Ms. Sreyngim has worked on pathogen metagenomic next-generation sequencing in febrile patients, bat, macaque. AMR maker identification using mNGS. She’s interested in molecular biology research.

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Chanthap Lon

Medical Research Scientist/Chief Field Operation

Education:

Doctor of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Master of Clinical Tro-Med, Tropical Medicine of Mahidol University

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Dr. Chanthap has more than 12 years of experiences in the clinical research of malaria, influenza, diarrhea, and other mosquito-borne diseases in Cambodia as Chief of field Operation and he has served as principal investigator (PI) or co-investigator of more than 15 operational research and clinical trials, including IND and placebo studies, which adhere to the principles of GCP/GLP and abide by international norms for human subject protection.

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Piseth Ly

Laboratory Technician

Education:

Master of Management, National University of Management

Bachelor’s degree, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Western University

Associate degree, Medical Lab Technology, University of Health Science

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Ms. Piseth has performed immunological assay such as ELISA, western blots, protein qualification, PRNTs, flow cytometry, additional bio molecular DNA/RNA extraction, cDNA library pre-training other on immunodiagnostic assay and manage immunoassay workflow, manage human sera, processing, storage, and lab inventory supply, reagents for research program. Her work also includes preparing technical...

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Sokna Ly

Clinical Field Coordinator

Education:

Diploma in Midwifery, Chenla University

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Ms. Sokna is a Clinical Field Coordinator under CNM CA for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institute of Health, working on different studies of IDseq, PAGODA, PINCH, and eASIA.

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Somnang Man

Laboratory Technician

Education:

Bachelor’s degree, Medical Laboratory, University of Health Sciences

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Mr. Somnang has worked on PRNT, PBMC, ELISA and inventory management.

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Sreynik Nhek

Laboratory Technician

Education:

Bachelor’s degree, Medical Laboratory, University of Health Sciences

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Ms. Sreynik has worked on dissect mosquito salivary gland for use in ELISA, western blots, and sequencing. Her work is also to perform ELISA assays, western blots, protein quantification, and other procedures in the laboratory for the project such as PAGODAS, IDSEQ, eASIA and PINCH.

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Fabiano Oliveira, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Scientist, Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Human Pathology, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil

M.D., Medical School of the Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Spanish

Dr. Fabiano Oliveira earned his M.D., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees from the Federal University of Bahia/ Fiocruz. In 2003, he joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a postdoctoral fellowship and was appointed as a staff scientist in 2008. Dr. Oliveira currently serves as an associate scientist/staff scientist at the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID. Dr. Oliveira's clinical...

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Portrait of Fabiano Oliveira, Ph.D., M.D.

Vunsokserey Ou

Data Manager

Education:

Bachelor’s degree, Computer Science and Engineering, Royal University of Phnom Penh

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Mr. Serey has worked on daily check of data quality of project study, data extractions based on the requirement and coordinated with teamwork in terms of data capture through an online database or other work-related.

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Mengheng Oum

Laboratory Technician

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Mr. Mengheng has worked on pathogen metagenomic next-generation sequencing in febrile patients, bat, macaque. AMR maker identification using mNGS. He’s interested in molecular biology research.

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Andrea R. Pacheco, B.A.

Post-baccalaureate Research Fellow

Education:

B.A., Medicine, Literature & Society, Columbia University

Languages Spoken: Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic

Ms. Andrea has contributed to data analysis, manuscript preparation, and implementation of location history tracking strategies for several protocols.

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Samphors Pho

Office Manager

Education:

Bachelor’s degree, Banking and Finance & English for Business, Royal University of Law and Economics

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Ms. Samphors has overseen the daily operations of an office such as procurement, finance, human resources, and administration. She’s prepared the monthly budget requests and budget summary reports, monthly payroll, annual budget reports, and tracking of leave records for all employees and provided full range of support on administrative such as correspondence, travel arrangements, a report...

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Roberto M. Salas-Carrillo, B.S.

Post-bacc IRTA

Education:

B.S., Microbiology, The University of Texas at El Paso

Languages Spoken: Spanish

Mr. Roberto got his degree in microbiology from the University of Texas at El Paso, where the work involved two different research projects as a building Scholars recipient. In summer 2019, he was part of the UT Southwestern SURF Program cohort in the Cardiology Department, in Dr. Joseph Hill’s lab. Currently, he is an IRTA Postbaccalaureate working in Dr. Jessica’s Manning’s lab, where he is...

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Ratanak Sath

Clinical Field Coordinator

Education:

Associate degree, Laboratory, Chenla University

Languages Spoken: Khmer, Chinese

Mr. Ratanak is a Clinical Coordinator of National Institute of Health (NIH), working on collecting samples at the field, communicating, and coordinating with patients, hospital staff and community.

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Sothy Soeung, M.B.A.

Public Health Admin Management Assistant

Education:

M.B.A., Asian Institute of Technology

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Ms. Sothy has coordinated administrative, logistics and financial aspect for research project and assisting with protocol application reports submission and ensure accuracy and quality submission to ethic committee, including filing system, consolidating comments, assisting and monitoring site visits and correspondence. Her work is also to provide assistance to NIAID Science Attaché for scientific...

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Gechlang Tang, B.S.

Assistant Laboratory Technician

Education:

Bachelor's degree, Bioengineering, Royal University of Phnom Penh

Languages Spoken: Khmer, Mandarin

Ms. Gechlang has performed molecular work: DNA/RNA extraction, real-time PCR, cDNA library preparation, metagenomic next-generation sequencing and maintained the bio-specimen and supply inventory. Her work is also to analyze data and prepare monthly reports of results.

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Kevin Tang, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA

Education:

Bachelor’s degree, Bioinformatics, Hunter College

Kevin is a postbac at the Manning Lab, investigating the effects of mosquito saliva proteins on the human immune system. He graduated in 2018 from Hunter College with a degree in Bioinformatics. Before coming to the NIH, he received a Fulbright award to conduct chemistry research in Jordan. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, rowing, and exploring DC.

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Rathna Tim, B.S.

Clinical Nurse

Education:

B.S., Nursing, International University

Languages Spoken: Khmer

Ms. Rathna has worked on characterization of febrile disease landscape in Cambodia via metagenomic pathogen sequencing.

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Christina Yek, M.B.B.Ch.

Clinical Fellow

Education:

M.B.B.Ch., University of Cambridge

Languages Spoken: Spanish, Catalan, Mandarin

Dr. Christina is using (metagenomic) next-generation sequencing and serologic tests to study the epidemiology of various infectious diseases (arboviral disease, zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance) in Cambodia.

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Laura Willen, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Parasitology, Charles University

Languages Spoken: Dutch, French, German

Dr. Laura has expertise in studying the immune response against insect vector saliva, including sand flies, blackflies, and mosquitoes with the focus on the identification of serological biomarkers of host exposure that can be employed in evaluating vector control strategies and unravelling the epidemiology of infectious diseases transmitted by these vectors. Currently her main focus is to parse...

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September 27, 2022

Khillan Research Group

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CRISPR/cas 9 mediated genome editing in mouse embryos and stem cells.

Creation of humanized animal models for human genetic and infectious diseases.

Generation of ES cells and iPS cells from different species.

Cryopreservation of sperm and embryos.

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Khillan Research Group

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Learn more about Jaspal S. Khillan, Ph.D.

Jaspal S. Khillan, Ph.D.

Chief, Mouse Genetics and Gene Modification Section

Education:

Ph.D., Punjab University Chandigurh India

Dr. Khillan obtained his Ph.D. from Punjab University Chandigurh India. He has over 25 years of experience gene manipulation in mouse embryos and stem cells. He joined NIAID’s Comparative Medicine Branch (CMB) in 2015 and established the Mouse Genetics and Gene Modification (MGGM) section to provide state of the art technologies of mouse genome modification, including CRISPR/cas9 mediated genome...

Kyoungin Cho, Ph.D., DVM

Molecular Biologist and Lab manager

Languages Spoken: Korean

Expertise in cryopreservation, transgenic/CRISPR, animal genetics and stem cell biology. Profound background in the field of embryology, animal genetics, biochemistry and pharmacology. Experienced cell and molecular biologist.

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Jessica Y. Edwards, B.A.S., RALAT

Cryopreservation Expert

I obtained over 8 years of experience in the animal science field before coming onboard with MGGM in 2021. I enjoy learning new techniques and developing knowledge on the latest scientific technologies. One of my passions is using holistic, homeopathic therapies and integrative science for medicinal treatments and natural remedies to mediate an array of health related issues.

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Katina Veronika Krasnec, Ph.D.

Molecular Biologist

Education:

Ph.D., Immunology/Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico

M.S., Biological Anthropology, University of New Mexico

B.A., Biology/Neuroscience, Bryn Mawr College

Languages Spoken: Slovak, German

Biologist using molecular biology, genomics, and gene editing to generate novel mouse strains. Generation and maintenance of NIAID cryobank for the storage, preservation, and rederivation of valuable mouse strains.

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Cheng-Chao Lin, Ph.D.

Molecular and Cell Biologist

Education:

Ph. D., University of Rochester

Languages Spoken: Mandarin, Taiwanese

Cheng-Chao graduated from the University of Rochester with a Master degree and Ph.D., where he studied selective autophagy in David Goldfarb’s laboratory. He joined Gregory Germino’s group at NIDDK as a fellow and investigated polycystic kidney disease with cutting-edge technology such as super-resolution microscopy, CRISPR/Cas9, and affinity purification–mass spectrometry. In 2021, he joined MGGM...

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Megan A. Mallett, B.S., ALAT

Cryopreservation Expert

Education:

B.S., Small Animal Science

Thirteen years of experience in the laboratory animal field. A part of the Mouse Genetics and Gene Modification lab for eight years; specializing in mouse sperm and embryo cryopreservation and mouse invitro fertilization.

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Photo of the members of the Mouse Genetics and Gene Modification Research Group taken May 23, 2022

September 27, 2022

Cohen Research Group

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Development of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies for human herpesviruses, studies of genetic variants and immune defects in persons with severe virus infections.

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Cohen Research Group

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Learn more about Jeffrey I. Cohen, M.D.

Jeffrey I. Cohen, M.D.

Chief, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases
Chief, Medical Virology Section

Provides direct clinical care to patients at NIH Clinical Center

Education:

M.D., Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Cohen received his M.D. from The Johns Hopkins University and was a resident in medicine at Duke University. Following a medical staff fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), he was a clinical fellow in infectious diseases at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an instructor in medicine at Harvard University. He returned to NIH, where he was the chief of the Medical Virology Section in the Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases until 2010. In June 2010, Dr. Cohen became chief of the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases.

Mir A. Ali, Ph.D.

Biologist

Education:

Ph.D., Biochemistry-Immunology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (now Bengaluru), India

Languages Spoken: Urdu, Hindi, Tamil

Biologist at NIAID, NIH since 1999 (in the Medical Virology Section first at LCI then LCID and now LID). Design and validate antibody assays for human herpesvirus antigens to monitor the efficacy of human herpesvirus vaccines generated by the group. Analysis of antibody levels in recipients of the zoster vaccine Shingrix (RZV) who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Studies of patients with EBV...

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Wei Bu, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Rutgers Medical School, New Jersey

Languages Spoken: Mandarin, Chinese

Dr. Bu received his Ph.D. from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Frederick National Laboratory from 2007 to 2010 to study the function of human host restriction factor APOBEC3 proteins. He joined Dr. Cohen’s section in 2010 as a research fellow and became a staff scientist. His research focuses on vaccine development and antibody discovery to prevent Epstein-Barr...

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Kennichi Dowdell, Ph.D.

Education:

Ph.D., Neuroscience, Ohio State University
B.S., Biology, B.A., Psychology, Indiana University of PA

Support all lab projects and general lab functions. Work to determine the underlying genetic and immunological changes associated with the pathology of uncontrolled viral infections.

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Portrait of Kennichi Dowdell, Ph.D., B.S., B.A.

Anna Elizabeth Hostal, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry, minor in Spanish, Arizona State University

Languages Spoken: Spanish

Anna Hostal is currently developing monoclonal antibodies for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and investigating their interaction with viral antigens. Through this work she hopes to better understand the mechanisms of viral fusion to inform the rational design of future therapeutics and vaccines.

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Tammy A. Krogmann, B.A., B.S.

Biologist

Education:

B.A., English, University of Minnesota Duluth
B.S., Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth

Have performed studies to identify viruses in human tissues, evaluation of specimens from subjects for COVID-19 studies, cloning for VZV and EBV projects, and antibody discovery for EBV.

Learn more about Tammy A. Krogmann, B.A., B.S.

Portrait of Tammy A Krogmann, B.S., B.A.

Lui Phillip Suzuki-Williams, B.S.

IRTA Trainee

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia

Lui Suzuki-Williams is developing an assay to measure the efficacy of mAb and vaccine sera to block HSV-2 cell-cell fusion. He is working on a longitudinal COVID-19 study and an HSV-2 animal study. His research interests include immunology, infectious diseases, and virology.

Learn more about Lui Phillip Suzuki-Williams, B.S.

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Alexander Charles Vostal M.D.

Clinical Research Fellow

Education:

M.D., Uniform Services School of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
B.S., Microbiology/Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Dr. Alexander Vostal is an active-duty officer in the United States Public Health Service and a Clinical Research Fellow in the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Learn more about Alexander Charles Vostal M.D.

Portrait of Alexander Charles Vostal M.D.

Kening Wang, M.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

M.D., Zhejiang University Medical School (former Zhejiang Medical University), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China

Languages Spoken: Chinese

Joined NIAID in 1992. Current research focuses on herpes simplex virus (HSV) prevention including designing, producing, and characterizing novel HSV-2 vaccine candidates, and developing animal models for characterizing HSV-2 vaccine candidates.

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September 27, 2022

Brenchley Research Group

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Barrier Immunity Section, Lab of Viral Diseases, NIAID, DIR.

The focus of the BIS is to understand the mechanisms that underly viral diseases. The work focuses, predominantly, on understanding the differential disease outcomes between natural hosts of immunodeficiency lentiviral infections and progressive infections. Our studies rely heavily on cellular and molecular immunological analyses in tissues.

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Brenchley Research Group

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Learn more about Jason Brenchley, Ph.D.

Jason Brenchley, Ph.D.

Chief, Laboratory of Viral Diseases

Senior Investigator, Barrier Immunity Section

Specialty(s): Pathology, Medical Microbiology

Education:

M.S., 1999, Idaho State University
Ph.D., 2003, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Dr. Brenchley received a master’s degree from Idaho State University in 1999 and received a Ph.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in 2003. He joined NIH as a research fellow, studying immunopathogenesis and mucosal immunology in HIV-infected individuals. Since 2008, he has become an investigator in the Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and has been a senior investigator since 2013.

Grace Bodykevich, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.S., The University of British Columbia

I completed my undergraduate degree in microbiology and immunology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. During my degree, I studied the effect that endogenous retroviruses have on the neutrophil response during HSV-2 infection. As a postbaccalaureate in the lab, I am investigating the microbiome and microbial translocation during HIV infection.

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Kelsie L. Brooks, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Emory University
B.S., Oklahoma University

I am investigating SARS-CoV-2 infections in human samples and non-human primate models, particularly exploring gastrointestinal pathology and inflammation. Additionally, I have examined impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infections on the gut microbiome.

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Jesse Do, B.A.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.A. Biochemistry, University of South Florida

My research focuses on the impact Cytomegalovirus poses on the chronic health of hosts with immunocompromised statuses. I am currently assessing the effectiveness of orally administered Valganciclovir in treating CMV infection using NHP models.

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Razan Masad, Ph.D.

Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
M.Sc., The American University in Cairo, Egypt
B.Sc., Hashemite University, Jordan

Languages Spoken: English, Arabic

My research explores the potential of combining anti-inflammatory drugs with antiretroviral therapy to reduce residual inflammation and premature aging in SIV-infected nonhuman primates. This work aims to develop new therapeutic strategies to manage persistent inflammation and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV.

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Alexandra M. Ortiz O’Sick, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
BA, University of Virginia

Languages Spoken: Spanish

My research is focused on investigating the intersection between the microbiome, immunity, and disease in non-human primate models and hosts of SIV for the purposes of understanding disease mechanisms in people living with HIV.

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Andrew Rahmberg, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Harvard University
B.S., Boston University

My work explores the mechanisms by which natural hosts for SIV have co-evolved with SIV to avoid disease progression.

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Delmy Ruiz, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.S., Pomona College

Languages Spoken: Spanish

My project aims to understand the degree to which high-fat diets influence the pathogenicity of viral diseases.

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Elizabeth Wrobel, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., University of Georgia
M.S., University of Georgia
B.S., Millikin University

Dr. Wrobel is originally from Tinley Park, IL. She attended Millikin University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Following that, she pursued her master’s and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Georgia. During her Ph.D. studies, she focused on emerging and novel paramyxoviruses while gaining experience designing novel viral-vectored vaccines. Dr. Wrobel began her...

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Debra Yee, B.S.

Biologist

Education:

B.S., University of Maryland

I am exploring the pathogenesis of emerging viral infections in old world nonhuman primates. These studies will determine the appropriateness of NHPs as a model of human viral infections which will help in the development of antiviral and vaccine development for emerging RNA viral infections.

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Former Research Group Members

Charlotte Langner, B.S. (2019-2021, post-bac), currently Ph.D. student UC Berkeley
JC Mudd, Ph.D. (2014-2020, post-doc), currently assistant professor Tulane University
Stephen Lai, B.S. (2016-2019, post-bac), currently medical student California Northstate University
Carly Starke, B.S. (2015-2019, Ph.D. student), currently post-doc Fred Hutch
Sarah DiNapoli, B.S. (2014-2016, post-bac), currently MSTP student Johns Hopkins University
Zachary Klase, Ph.D. (2012-2014, post-doc), currently Associate professor Drexel University
Molly Perkins, D.Phil. (2011-2014, post-doc), currently Associate director, Bluebird Bio
Nina Calantone, B.S. (2012-2014, post-bac), currently MSTP student Northwestern University
Nichole Klatt, Ph.D. (2009-2012, post-doc), currently Professor University of Minnesota
Lauren Canary, B.S. (2010-2012, post-bac), currently Epidemiologist Centers for Disease Control
Fabiola Marie Castello Casta, B.S.
Jacob Flynn, B.S.
Jennifer Simpson, Ph.D.

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Group photo of the Brenchley Research Group.

February 28, 2025

Sereti Research Group

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My group studies the inflammatory complications in people with HIV either in the form of acute Inflammatory immune reconstitution syndrome (IRIS) or in chronic treated HIV, focusing among other topics on the role of inflammasome, microbiome, genetics and immune senescence. We are also working on pathogenesis, genetics and potential treatments of Idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia including mouse models to assist in understanding the disease pathogenesis and possible therapeutic targets. We have recently established projects on COVID-19 to evaluate the role of inflammasome in pathogenesis, immune responses to vaccine and disease in people with HIV or ICL and also the possible role of immune-based therapies.

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Sereti Research Group

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Irini Sereti, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief, Laboratory of Immunoregulation
Senior Investigator, Chief HIV Pathogenesis Section

Specialty(s): Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine
Provides direct clinical care to patients at NIH Clinical Center

Education:

Ph.D., University of Amsterdam - Netherlands
M.D., National Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece
M.H.S., Duke University

Dr. Sereti is the Chief of the HIV Pathogenesis Section in the Laboratory of Immunoregulation at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). She received her medical degree at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece and did her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Northwestern University in Chicago. She completed an M.H.S. from Duke University and her infectious diseases fellowship at NIAID and stayed as a clinical investigator receiving tenure in 2015.

Learn more about Irini Sereti, M.D., Ph.D.

Katherine M. Bricker, Ph.D.

IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis, Emory University
B.S., Biological Sciences & Chemistry, The University of New Orleans

Katherine joined the lab as an IRTA postdoctoral fellow in the fall of 2022 after completing her Ph.D. in immunology at Emory University. Her research interests include understanding how HIV pathogenesis is influenced by factors such as the microbiome and age.

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Ainhoa Pérez Díez, Ph.D.

Associate Scientist

Education:

Ph.D. Cellular and Molecular Biology, Universidad de Navarra, Spain

Pharm.D., Universidad de Navarra, Spain

Languages Spoken: Basque, Spanish

Ainhoa studies the cellular and molecular characteristics of the immune system in ICL (Idiopathic CD4 Lymphopenic) patients.

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Brian Patrick Epling, M.D.

Clinical Fellow

Education:

M.D., University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Brian joined Dr. Sereti’s group as an infectious diseases clinical fellow in 2021. His research interests include understanding the interplay of infections and the immune response in immunocompromised patients, and the subsequent effects on morbidity and mortality.

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Silvia Lucena Lage, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2015, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Master's, 2011, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Bachelor's, Biomedical Sciences, 2008, Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Languages Spoken: Portuguese

Silvia joined the lab as a Visiting Fellow on August 1, 2016, and converted to a Research Fellow in January, 2022. Her research is mainly focused on understanding how the inflammasome and complement pathways are activated and their impact in the progression of different inflammatory conditions, including Tuberculosis (TB) immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), Kaposi sarcoma...

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Xiangdong Liu, Ph.D.

Biologist

Languages Spoken: Mandarin

Generated humanized mouse models, compared immune system development and function in NRG mice either transplanted with hematopoietic stem cells or transferred with PBMC from ICL patients or healthy controls. Characterized the presence of anti-lymphocyte antibodies in ICL patients, as well as the antibody functional capability of inducing antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)...

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Joseph M. Rocco, M.D.

Infectious Disease Fellow

Education:

M.D., University of Pittsburgh
Internal Medicine Residency/Chief Residency, University of Pittsburgh

During the pandemic, I have been primarily involved in clinical-translational research projects involved in defining the pathophysiology and host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 including those with immunocompromising conditions. My primary research interests are in hyperinflammatory syndromes including those related to people with HIV/AIDS and others with immune dysregulation.

Learn more about Joseph M. Rocco, M.D.

Peiying Ye, Ph.D.

Biologist

Languages Spoken: Chinese

Mapping the host determinants of HPV-related diseases in immunocompromised hosts (EPIC). Development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for severe HPV-related disease (NEPTUNE).

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September 26, 2022

Myles Research Group

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Epithelial Therapeutics Unit – work on the interface of environment, the microbiome, and allergic disease

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Myles Research Group

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Ian A. Myles, M.D., M.P.H.

Principal Investigator, Epithelial Therapeutics Unit
Chief Medical Research Officer, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Contact: ian.myles@nih.gov

Specialty(s): Allergy and Immunology, Internal Medicine
Provides direct clinical care to patients at NIH Clinical Center

Education:

B.S., 2001, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
M.D., 2005, University of Colorado, Boulder CO
M.P.H., 2016, George Washington University, Washington, DC

Dr. Myles was born and raised in Colorado. He graduated with a B.S. in biology from Colorado State University in 2001 and then obtained an M.D. from the University of Colorado in 2005. He completed an internal medicine residency at The Ohio State University prior to beginning fellowship training in allergy and clinical immunology at NIH.

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Prem Prashant Chaudhary, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Biotechnology

Languages Spoken: Hindi, Punjabi

I am a trained molecular biologist and microbiologist with experience in all kinds of microbiome data analysis. My current research focuses on studying how the environmental factors or contaminants affects the skin microbiome and shifts its balance towards diseased condition with a special focus on Atopic dermatitis.

Learn more about Prem Prashant Chaudhary, Ph.D.

Portia Gough, Ph.D.

Chief, Host Microbe Symbiosis Unit

Independent Research Scholar

Education:

Ph.D., 2017, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Dr. Gough began her graduate studies at the University of Chicago in 2010, joining the lab of Drs. Olaf Schneewind and Dominique Missiakas, where her research focused on the development of an immunocompromised model of infection with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) for the purpose of vaccine development. She also studied the function of surface adhesins of S. aureus. In 2013, Dr. Gough joined the Graduate Partnership Program (GPP) with an independent partnership between the University of Chicago and NIAID.

While in the GPP, she completed her thesis work on the responses of human neutrophils to S. aureus under the mentorship of Dr. Sandip Datta. After completing her Ph.D. in microbiology in 2017, she began postdoctoral training at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA, where she studied pathogen reduction technologies for blood transfusion units. In 2020, Dr. Gough returned to NIAID to undergo further postdoctoral training with Dr. Ian Myles in the Epithelial Therapeutics Unit, where she began her mechanistic studies of R. mucosa. Dr. Gough received an Independent Research Scholar award in 2022 and formed her own research group to expand her studies of R. mucosa.

Ashleigh Sun, R.N., M.S.N.

Clinical Programs Manager

I coordinate all clinical projects with the lab and am interested in assuring clinical research listens to the patients concerns when developing their protocols.

Learn more about Ashleigh Sun, R.N., M.S.N.

Manoj Yadav, Ph.D.

Post-doctoral Fellow

Languages Spoken: Hindi

Currently, I am working on the role of TRP channel in skin diseases at the interface of microbiome tissue repair wound healing.

Learn more about Manoj Yadav, Ph.D.

Section

Content Manager

Content Coordinator

September 26, 2022

Fraser Research Group

Read more about Fraser Research Group

Our research program is focused on the design, implementation, and interpretation of screening efforts to identify and determine the interactions among the components in both TLR and inflammasome signaling networks. We use high-throughput genetic screening to identify key pathway regulators, and a combination of cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to characterize their function. Our goal is to obtain a better understanding of how innate immune signaling pathways control the macrophage inflammatory state, and ultimately to develop strategies to regulate these responses in human inflammatory diseases. Specific projects of our research group members in this context are described in their Bio sections below.

Short Title

Fraser Research Group

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Learn more about Iain Fraser, Ph.D.

Iain Fraser, Ph.D.

Chief, Signaling Systems Section

Specialty(s): Allergy and Immunology, Infectious Disease

Education:

Ph.D., Imperial College, University of London

Iain Fraser, Ph.D., is the Chief of the Signaling Systems Section. Our research program is focused on the design, implementation, and interpretation of screening efforts to identify and determine the interactions among the components in PRR signaling networks. Our goal is to obtain a better understanding of how PRR signaling pathways control the macrophage inflammatory state, and ultimately to develop strategies to regulate these responses in human inflammatory diseases.

Clinton Bradfield, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., microbial pathogenesis, Yale University
M.S., microbial pathogenesis, Yale University
B.A., Biochemistry, Simpson College

Clinton Bradfield is a Research Fellow in the Signaling Systems Section. Originally from Essex, Iowa, he received his BA in Biochemistry from Simpson College where he discovered his interest in molecular biology, organic chemistry, and microbial pathogenesis. Following early exposure to transcriptional analyses (P. Singer), chemical synthesis (T. Nguyen), and viral replication (R. Roller, M. Robek...

Learn more about Clinton Bradfield, Ph.D.

Brendan Geesey, B.S.

Research Fellow

Education:

B.S., Arizona State University

Brendan Geesey is a postbaccalaureate researcher who joined the group in the summer of 2023. He completed his bachelor’s degree in genetics, cell, and developmental biology at Arizona State University (ASU). While at ASU, Brendan worked with Dr. Karen Anderson on a project exploring T-cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2. His current project is aimed at identifying novel regulators of pyroptosis, the pro...

Learn more about Brendan Geesey, B.S.

Asmaysinh Gharia

Graduate Student

Education:

NIH Oxford-Cambridge
University of California Berkeley

Asmaysinh Gharia is a graduate student in the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars program.

Learn more about Asmaysinh Gharia

Julia Gross

Graduate Student

Education:

Brown University, Providence, RI

Julia Gross is a graduate student in the NIH GPP/Emory IMP program. She hails from San Francisco, CA, where she studied as an undergrad at Brown University in Providence, RI, and currently lives in Washington D.C. while working on her thesis at NIAID. Her project is centered on understanding how different types of antibiotic treatments impact patients’ immune responses to bacterial infections...

Learn more about Julia Gross

Chloe Hicks, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2023, Duke University

Chloe Hicks is a postbaccalaureate fellow who joined as part of the NIH postbaccalaureate program following her graduation from Duke University in May 2023. She majored in biology with a concentration in pharmacology and worked as an undergraduate student in a research lab studying the signaling mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptors. She now works in the Signaling Systems Section on...

Learn more about Chloe Hicks, B.S.

Heera James, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2022, Virginia Commonwealth University

Heera James is a postbaccalaureate fellow who joined as part of the NIH postbaccalaureate program following her graduation from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2022, where she majored in biology and minored in chemistry. Currently, her work in the Signaling Systems Section revolves around leveraging the applications of trained immunity in the treatment of infectious diseases. Her research...

Learn more about Heera James, B.S.

Sinu P. John, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., 2006, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA

M.Sc., 1999, University of Hyderabad, India

Languages Spoken: Malayalam

Dr. John received a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Hyderabad, India and his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular genetics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He conducted postdoctoral research in the functional genomics of virus-host interactions at Harvard Medical School and the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard. Dr. John joined the Signaling...

Learn more about Sinu P. John, Ph.D.

Christine Perritano, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.S., 2022, George Washington University

Christine Perritano is a postbaccalaureate fellow who joined the Signaling Systems Section (SSS) in 2023. She moved from her hometown, Chicago, to gain her Bachelor of Science degree in molecular and cellular biology with a minor in French language, literature, and culture from the George Washington University in Washington, DC, in 2022. Her professional biological interests in the SSS involve...

Learn more about Christine Perritano, B.S.

Jing Sun, Ph.D., M.D.

Biologist

Education:

Ph.D., Peking University, China
M.D., Peking University, China

Jing Sun is the Ph.D. level Biologist in the Signaling Systems Section. She received her Ph.D./M.D. from Peking University, China, and was trained at Harvard Medical school and NIH before promotion to the Biologist position in 2014. Jing is currently leading multiple projects investigating mechanistic aspects of TLR signaling, with a particular focus on IRAK function and the role of Ubiquitin...

Learn more about Jing Sun, Ph.D., M.D.

Leilei Xu, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Biology, University of Science and Technology of China

Languages Spoken: Chinese

Using whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screens, my research mainly focuses on identifying the potential key mechanisms in restimulation-induced cell death (RICD) of T cells. My interests also include characterizing the potential molecular mechanism of Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS) and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Learn more about Leilei Xu, Ph.D.

Former Research Group Members

Rahul Basu, Ph.D.

HHMI Research Specialist II
University of Texas Health San Antonio
Rahul was a postdoctoral fellow under the Rocky Mountain Lab (RML) Bethesda (Rocky-Beth) collaborative program from 2017-2022. He received his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Kolkata, India where his project was directed to understand the changes in neuroglial interaction in a murine coronavirus infection model. In 2017, he joined Dr. Karin Peterson’s Neuroimmunology Section at RML to study the age-related changes in blood-brain barrier permeability that contribute to La Crosse virus (bunyavirus) susceptibility in children. Through the Rocky-Beth program, he transitioned to the Signaling Systems Section in 2019 to perform focused genetic screening and host-factor targeting in La Crosse virus infection. This study was published in Nature Communications.

Makheni Jean Pierre

Graduate Student, Eric Dang lab
NIH-Georgetown University Partnership Program
Makheni was a postbaccalaureate fellow in the Signaling Systems Section from 2020-2022, funded through the NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP). He obtained his associate degree in science from Queensborough Community College (QCC New York) and then transferred to Stony Brook University to complete his bachelor’s in biology. His interest lay in the intracellular signaling processes in macrophages in response to activation by pathogens. He worked on a target protein discovered in a genetic screen that regulates the expression of key genes involved in the TLR4 pathway in macrophages in order to control the degree of immune response in certain situations.

Sam Katz, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist
Verily Biosciences
Sam was a graduate student in the NIH-OxCam program from 2016-2020 and then remained in the Signaling Systems Section as a postdoctoral fellow until 2022. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in 2020 (co-supervised by Dr. Fraser and Professor Clare Bryant). As a graduate student, Sam built the SIGNAL platform for prioritizing candidates from high-throughput studies. He then focused on characterizing how post-translation modifications, such as alternative splicing, regulate the inflammatory response.

Camille Lake, Ph.D.

Senior Bioinformatics Data Scientist
Deloitte Consulting, LLP
Camille Lake was a rotating fellow in the Signaling Systems Section when she was part of NIAID’s Emerging Leaders in Data Science Fellowship program from 2021-2022. She spent her upbringing in the hills of Northern California and eventually moved to Santa Barbara, where she got her college degree and discovered her love of molecular biology. She moved to Bethesda, MD, to pursue her Ph.D. in infectious diseases and immunology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, where she graduated in 2021. She utilized her immunology foundation and fascination with data science to fuel her research, which ranged from determining the underpinnings of molecular mimicry in SARS-CoV-2 sequelae to utilizing machine learning algorithms to unlock the secrets of RNA regulation.

Jonathan Liang, Ph.D.

Medical Intern
Yale University Medical School
Jonathan is an M.D./Ph.D. student who completed his graduate work in the Signaling Systems Section (SSS) in 2022 through the NIH-OxCam Scholars Program. He is a Washington, DC, area native, having lived near NIH since middle school. After undergraduate studies at Yale University in New Haven, CT, he completed a master’s degree at the University of Cambridge before beginning his M.D./Ph.D. jointly between the Yale School of Medicine, the NIH, and the University of Cambridge. His research in the SSS sought to understand the molecular pathways that allow saturated fatty acids to trigger the NLRP3 inflammasome, an interaction that may contribute to inflammation in diseases such as atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease (recently reviewed in Trends in Immunology). His major ongoing clinical interest is in pediatrics.

Section

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July 02, 2024

Su Research Group

Read more about Su Research Group

To carry out the Human Immunological Diseases Section (HIDS) research, our team of dedicated scientific and clinical staff studies patients using our combined expertise in genetics/genomics, immunology, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and virology.

Short Title

Su Research Group

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Learn more about Helen C. Su, M.D., Ph.D.

Helen C. Su, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief, Human Immunological Diseases Section
Director, NIAID Clinical Genomics Program
Acting Chief, Molecular Development of the Immune System Section

Specialty(s): Allergy and Immunology, Pediatrics
Provides direct clinical care to patients at NIH Clinical Center

Education:

M.D., Ph.D., Brown University

Helen Su received M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Brown University. She completed training in pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University, and subspecialty training in allergy and immunology at NIAID. After postdoctoral training with Michael Lenardo, M.D., in the Laboratory of Immunology, she joined the Laboratory of Host Defenses in 2007 as a tenure-track clinical investigator and was tenured in 2016. She has received the Society for Pediatric Research E. Mead Johnson Award and the Gale and Ira Drukier Prize in Children’s Health Research. She was elected a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians.

Margaret A. Abaandou, R.N., B.S.N., M.P.H.

Clinical Research Nurse/Study Coordinator

Education:

M.P.H., Public Health, University of Bedfordshire, UK
B.Sc., Nursing, University of Northampton, UK

Margaret Abaandou is a senior research nurse experienced in clinical research, public policy, and patient care. She is the study coordinator for two HIDS research protocols and organizes the HIDS efforts to study patients at the NIH Clinical Center.

Learn more about Margaret A. Abaandou, R.N., B.S.N., M.P.H.

Kaja Arusha, B.A.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.A., Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA

Kaja Arusha is a first-year postbaccalaureate IRTA fellow who is working on a joint project in HIDS and was formerly in the Molecular Development of the Immune System Section at NIAID. She hopes to broaden her research experiences in the biological sciences before matriculating into graduate school.

Learn more about Kaja Arusha, B.A.

Eesha Chattopadhay, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles

Eesha Chattopadhyay is a second-year postbaccalaureate IRTA fellow. She is currently studying a novel primary immunological disease and hopes to continue her research career in a clinical setting in medical school.

Learn more about Eesha Chattopadhay, B.S.

Clifton L. Dalgard, Ph.D.

Special Volunteer

Clifton Dalgard is an Associate Professor of Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics at the Uniformed Services of the University of the Health Sciences, as well as Director of The American Genome Center. He has research interests in population genomics and neuroscience. He collaborates with HIDS on high throughput sequencing projects including one on COVID-19 susceptibility.

Learn more about Clifton L. Dalgard, Ph.D.

Imad Isehak, B.S.

Laboratory Technician

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry, Minnesota State University

Imad Isehak is an experienced laboratory technician who has previously worked in academic and clinical settings. He is interested in biomedical research and provides broad support to all aspects of the HIDS research program.

Learn more about Imad Isehak, B.S.

Huie Jing, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Immunology and Molecular Biology, Rutgers University

M.S., Genetics, West China University of Medical Sciences

B.S., Biology, Sichuan University

Huie Jing is an experimentalist with deep expertise in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, virology, and human immunology. She works on diverse projects focusing on mechanisms, more recently in the areas of virus sensing and G-protein physiology/signaling. She is also highly committed to teaching post-baccalaureate and other trainees in HIDS.

Learn more about Huie Jing, Ph.D.

Başak Kayaoğlu, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Sc., Biology, Middle East Technical University, Turkey

Başak Kayaoğlu is a postdoctoral researcher experienced in human clinical immunology. She obtained her Ph.D. under the mentorship of Mayda Gürsel, focusing on understanding the pathogenesis of DOCK8 deficiency and STAT1 gain-of-function diseases. Within HIDS, she has several projects investigating the mechanistic basis of novel monogenic disorders related to adaptive immunity, including B cells.

Learn more about Başak Kayaoğlu, Ph.D.

Anne Roman, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biology, College of William and Mary

Anne Roman is a second-year postbaccalaureate IRTA fellow. She is interested in immunology, virology, and molecular biology, especially how these relate to mechanisms of disease. In HIDS, her research focuses on analyzing genetic susceptibility to severe COVID-19. She hopes to continue her research career in a clinically-oriented biomedical field at graduate school.

Learn more about Anne Roman, B.S.

Wesley Tung, B.S.

Predoctoral IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2019, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL

Wesley Tung, a former postbaccalaureate IRTA in the lab, is now in the Yale Medical School MSTP/NIH-OxCAM graduate program. After completing two years of medical school, he returned to HIDS, where he is now a second-year graduate student working on his graduate Ph.D. thesis research under the joint mentorship of Helen Su, Jelena Bezbradica, and Akiko Iwasaki. His research projects are related to SARS-CoV-2 and regulation of infection-related inflammation.

Learn more about Wesley Tung, B.S.

Yu Zhang, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Genomics & Molecular Biology, 2004, National Center for Gene Research & Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

B.Sc., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University

Yu Zhang is a genomics scientist with expertise in analyses of rare monogenic disorders and (less rare) genetic variants in human diseases. Using computational methods, she identifies lead candidate genetic variants that potentially explain undiagnosed inborn errors of immunity. She also coordinates and leads the HIDS efforts to identify genetic susceptibility to life-threatening influenza virus...

Learn more about Yu Zhang, Ph.D.

Former Research Group Members

Elana R. Shaw, B.S. (recent Postbaccalaureate IRTA)

Kazuyuki Meguro, M.D., Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow)

Hyoungjun Ham, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow)

Megan Kober, B.S. (recent Postbaccalaureate IRTA)

Michael A. Leney-Greene, Ph.D. (Predoctoral Visiting Fellow)

Ian T. Lamborn, M.D., Ph.D. (Predoctoral IRTA)

Corinne Happel, M.D. (Clinical Fellow)

Qian Zhang, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Research Fellow)

Section

Content Manager

Content Coordinator

October 22, 2024

Feldmann Research Group

Read more about Feldmann Research Group

The Disease Modeling and Transmission section aims to investigate emerging and re-emerging viral pathogens that cause serious illness in humans. Our group focuses on vector-borne viruses spread by rodents such as Lassa virus and Hantaviruses and insects such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. To investigate these viruses we develop animal models that recapitulate human disease, use these models to understand how the virus causes disease and then evaluate antivirals and vaccines that protect against disease. Additionally, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic our lab has evaluated candidate antivirals and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Research from our lab has resulted in multiple vaccines and antivirals against these serious human pathogens. These therapeutics are in multiple stages of pre-clinical and clinical development.

In addition to our laboratory activities, our lab has active research ongoing at field sites in Mali and Uganda where we conduct surveillance in vector and human populations to understand disease prevalence and transmission in regions where these viruses are endemic. Our efforts aim to support local public health systems and develop public health strategies that limit infection of at-risk populations.

Short Title

Feldmann Research Group

Person List Page Type

Heinz Feldmann, M.D., Ph.D.

Heinz Feldmann, M.D.

Chief, Disease Modeling and Transmission Section
Chief, Laboratory of Virology
Chief Scientist of the RML BSL4 Laboratories

Education:

Ph.D., 1988, University of Marburg, Germany

M.D., 1987, University of Marburg, Germany

Heinz Feldmann graduated from Medical School in 1987 (MD) and received his Ph.D. in 1988 both from the University of Marburg, Germany. His postdoctoral research was conducted in the field of virology (filoviruses and hantaviruses) at the Institute of Virology in Marburg and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, USA (‘National Research Council’ fellowship).

Learn more about Heinz Feldmann, M.D.

Julie A. Callison, M.Sc.

Biologist

Education:

M.S., Microbiology, University of Montana
B.S., Microbiology, University of Montana

My work and interests are to assist research projects that focus on disease modeling and transmission of emerging viral pathogens. These projects also involve evaluating vaccines and therapeutics.

Learn more about Julie A. Callison, M.Sc.

David W. Hawman, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Microbiology, University of Colorado Denver
B.S., Microbiology, Penn State University

My research projects focus on understanding the host and viral determinants of tick-borne viral pathogens that cause severe disease in humans. My work uses in vivo animal models of Crimea-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome virus and Heartland virus infection to investigate how these viruses overcome host defenses to cause disease. These studies aim to...

Learn more about David W. Hawman, Ph.D.

Shanna S. Leventhal, B.S., B.A.

Predoc Fellow

Education:

B.S., Molecular and Cellular Biology, Johns Hopkins University
B.A., Public Health, Johns Hopkins University

My research focuses on understanding viral determinants of disease and evaluating vaccine candidates against pathogenic viruses. My work involves in vivo animal models and in vitro assays which are aimed at uncovering viral proteins that cause disease, these are used to inform the development of therapeutics and vaccine candidates.

Learn more about Shanna S. Leventhal, B.S., B.A.

Matthew C. Lewis, Ph.D.

Biologist

Education:

Ph.D., Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine
B.S., Chemistry, Oregon State University
B.S., Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University

My research interests lie in modeling novel viral diseases and testing vaccines and drugs for efficacy against those viral diseases. I provide support and assistance with various research projects involving diseased modeling and transmission of emergent viral pathogens.

Learn more about Matthew C. Lewis, Ph.D.

Kimberly D. Meade-White, M.Sc.

Biologist

Education:

M.S., Microbiology/Biochemistry, University of Montana
B.S., Biology, Carroll College

My research focuses on assisting with projects understanding the host and viral determinants of tick-borne viral pathogens that cause severe disease in humans. My work includes assisting in developing animal models for Crimea-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome virus and Heartland virus. We investigate how these viruses overcome host defenses to cause disease...

Learn more about Kimberly D. Meade-White, M.Sc.

Atsushi Okumura, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Biologist

Education:

Ph.D., Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary science, Azabu University

M.S./D.V.M., Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University

B.S., Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University

Languages Spoken: Japanese

My research interests are focused on the host immune response to virus infection with a current concentration on the host response.

Learn more about Atsushi Okumura, Ph.D., D.V.M.

Deepashri Rao, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Viral Immunology, NIMHANS University, India

M.Sc, Microbiology, Bangalore University, India

B.Sc, Chemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Bangalore University, India

Languages Spoken: Kannada, Hindi

My research is primarily focused on the immunology of viral infections, especially innate immunity. I investigate immune mechanisms that are protective or detrimental to the host, which can then lead to the development of therapeutics for pathogenic viruses.

Learn more about Deepashri Rao, Ph.D.

Kyle T. Rosenke, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
B.S., Science, University of Wyoming

My research projects focus on disease modeling of Lassa virus and other emerging viral pathogens. My work characterizes and uses different disease models to evaluate therapeutics and vaccines. I also focus on host-pathogen interactions between Lassa virus and its natural reservoir, the Mastomys natalensis. These studies aim to define the host response to viral infection, providing insight into how...

Learn more about Kyle T. Rosenke, Ph.D.

Thomas Tipih, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Medical Virology, University of the Free State

M.Sc, Virology, Liverpool John Moores University

B.Sc, Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Zimbabwe

Languages Spoken: Shona

My research focuses on development of vaccines and therapeutics for emerging and re-emerging zoonotic viral pathogens. My work involves the development of animal models to study pathogenesis, immunology of viral infections and evaluating vaccines and therapeutics.

Learn more about Thomas Tipih, Ph.D.

Former Research Group Members

Laura Baseler, DVM, Ph.D. (Predoctoral Fellow) (7/2012 – 8/2015) - Veterinary Pathologist, NAMSA (North American Science Associates), Northwood, OH, USA

Bharti Bhatia, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (1/2018 – 5/2021) – Delhi, India

Blair DeBuysscher, Ph.D. (Predoctoral Fellow) (6/2008 – 9/2014) – Researcher, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

Emmie de Wit, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow, Staff Scientists) (9/2009 – 8/2019) – Tenure-Track Investigator, DIR, NIAID, Hamilton, MT, USA

Hideki Ebihara, Ph.D. (Staff Scientist) (3/2009 – 7/2016) – Director, Department of Virology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan

Darryl Falzarano, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (6/2010 – 11/2014) – Research Scientist, VIDO-InterVac, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Wakako Furuyama, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (6/2017 – 9/2019) - Assistant Professor, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan

Thomas Hoenen, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (3/2011 – 8/2015) – Laboratory Head (Privatdozent), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald, Germany

Caleb Marceau, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (1/2017 – 1/2018) - Sr Research Scientist-Clinical Virology, Gilead Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA

Joshua Marceau, Ph.D. (Predoctoral Fellow) (8/2011 – 12/2016) – Postdoctoral Researcher, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

Andrea Marzi, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow, Staff Scientist, Associate Scientist) (10/2008 – 8/2019) – Tenure-Track Investigator, NIAID, Hamilton, MT, USA

Masfique Mehedi, Ph.D. (predoctoral Fellow) (12/2010 – 10/2012) – Assistant Professor, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA

Vincent Munster, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (9/2009 – 1/2013) – Senior Investigator, DIR, NIAID, Hamilton, MT USA

Joseph Prescott, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Fellow) (6/2009 – 6/2017) – Research Group Lead, Robert-Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany

Barry Rockx, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (7/2008 – 8/2012) – Principal Investigator, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Jessica Spengler, DVM, Ph.D. (Predoctoral Fellow) (9/2008 – 5/2012) – Research Veterinary medical Officer, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA

David Safronetz, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow, Staff Scientist) (10/2008 – 7/2015) – Chief Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Tsing-Lee Tang-Huau, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (6/2018 – 11/2021) – Research Lead, Sanofi, Orlando, FL, USA

Yoshimi Tsuda, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Fellow) (6/2009 – 2/2011) – Researcher, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

Marko Zivcec, Ph.D. (Predoctoral Fellow) (9/2009 – 12/2013) – Researcher, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Section

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Photo of Feldmann Research Group Members

September 26, 2022

Hickman Research Group

Read more about Hickman Research Group

The Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit aims to make fundamental discoveries about the mechanisms underlying effective antiviral immune responses.

Short Title

Hickman Research Group

Person List Page Type

Learn more about Heather Hickman, Ph.D.

Heather Hickman, Ph.D.

Chief, Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit

Education:

Ph.D., University of Oklahoma

Dr. Heather Hickman received her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Oklahoma, where she investigated the presentation of virus-derived peptides by major histocompatibility (MHC) class I molecules. Dr. Hickman first joined the NIH as a postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Diseases, NIAID, to study antiviral immunity under the mentorship of Dr. Jonathan Yewdell.

Melanie Barksdale, B.A.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.A., Molecular Biology, Colorado College

My project investigates antiviral protection provided by type I innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) in the oral mucosa and other mucosal tissues. I use a number of different approaches, including microscopy, to understand and visualize how ILC1s sense and respond to viral infection.

Learn more about Melanie Barksdale, B.A.

Morgan Erin Brisse, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota
B.S., Biochemistry with honors, University of Michigan

My project focuses on the development of antiviral immunity in the lymph node. I am specifically trying to understand how the flow of lymph is altered by different inflammatory stimuli, including mosquito saliva. Further, I am looking at the role of specific lymphatic endothelial cell proteins in the transport of molecules to and through the lymph node.

Learn more about Morgan Erin Brisse, Ph.D.

 Anurag Kalia, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Doctorate, National Institute of Immunology, Delhi, India

M.Sc., Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India

Languages Spoken: Hindi

Lymph nodes are the site of interaction of pathogens with other immune cells. Macrophages provide the first line of defense against pathogens and play a crucial role in capturing and transporting the antigens to underlying B cells. My research focuses on understanding the role of macrophages in establishing the humoral responses within the lymph nodes employing Zika and vaccinia virus mouse models...

Learn more about  Anurag Kalia, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Raymond Andrew Lujan, B.S.N., R.N.

Predoctoral Fellow

Education:

B.S.N., The University of Texas at El Paso

Languages Spoken: Spanish

I am investigating the dynamics of group I innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) and CD8+ T cells in the tissue during viral infection. Specifically, I investigate cytotoxic protease expression and how cytokines influence their expression during poxvirus infection.

Learn more about Raymond Andrew Lujan, B.S.N., R.N.

Katie Nunez, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Education:

B.S., Towson University

Luxin Pei, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., NIH-Johns Hopkins University Graduate Partnership Program

B.S., The Pennsylvania State University

Languages Spoken: Mandarin

T cells undergo significant metabolic changes in response to evading pathogens. My project focuses on the metabolic control and mitochondria dynamics of antiviral T cells during vaccinia virus infection.

Learn more about Luxin Pei, Ph.D.

Former Research Group Members

Cynthia Aguilar, B.S., Graduate Student, University of Michigan

Joanna Droppo, B.S., Medical Scribe

Courtney Malo, Ph.D., Editor, Science Translational Medicine

Dan McManus, B.S., Graduate Student, Emory University

Glennys V. Reynoso, R.N., B.S.

John Shannon, D.Phil., Consultant, Booz Allen

Sophia Vrba, B.S., M.D./Ph.D., Student, University of Michigan

Olivia Wise-Dent, B.A., Scientist, MilliporeSigma

Erica Wynne-Jones, Ph.D., Scientist, Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Section

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