Goodenow Research Group

Molecular HIV Host Interactions Section (MHHIS) conducts research to study interactions between HIV-1 and human host, in particular children and young adults, to address the effect of recreational substance use on gene expression and biological pathways; immune perturbation in HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) infants; development and maturation of immunoglobulin repertoires, and response to vaccines in early human life; and HIV-1 cell tropism, latency, reservoir, reactivation, and evolution of the HIV-1 over the course of infection with/without ART.

Short Title
Goodenow Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group
Maureen M. Goodenow, Ph.D.

Maureen M. Goodenow, Ph.D.

Chief, Molecular HIV Host Interactions Section
Director, NIH Office of AIDS Research

Education:

Ph.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The Bronx, NY

Dr. Goodenow received her undergraduate degree in biology from Fordham University and her Ph.D. in molecular genetics from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Following a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular oncology at the Sloan Kettering Institute she began her study of HIV. Dr. Goodenow has published more than 100 articles and book chapters, in addition to serving as a reviewer for more than 10 journals.

Learn more about Maureen M. Goodenow, Ph.D.

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Li Yin, M.D., D.C.H, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

M.D., Doctor of Medicine

D.C.H., Diploma in Child Health

Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy

Languages Spoken: Mandarin

Dr. Li Yin’s research interests are: (1) Influence of recreational substance use on gene expression and biological pathways in YWH on ART; (2) Study of immune perturbation in HEU children in comparison to HUU children; (3) Development and maturation of immunoglobulin repertoires, and response to vaccines in early human life.

Learn more about Li Yin, M.D., D.C.H, Ph.D.

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Kai-Fen Chang, M.S.

Biologist

Languages Spoken: Mandarin, Taiwanese

Kai-Fen studies the influence of recreational substance use on gene expression and biological pathways in YWH on ART; development and maturation of immunoglobulin, and response to vaccines in early human life; immune perturbation in HEU children in comparison to HUU children.

Learn more about Kai-Fen Chang, M.S.

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Isaac Daniel Raplee, Ph.D.

Biologist (Bioinformatician)

Education:

Ph.D., Biomedical Science – Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida

Isaac is a transcriptomics specialist with expertise in analyzing noncoding-RNA, miRNA, mRNA, and other RNA species’ expression in convoluted experimental designs. He has special interest in exogenous and endogenous retroviruses and host interactions.

Learn more about Isaac Daniel Raplee, Ph.D.

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Samiksha A. Borkar, M.S.

Research Associate

Education:

M.S., 2016, Ph.D., 2023, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Languages Spoken: Marathi, Hindi

Samiksha is working on studying the influence of substance use mainly recreational marijuana and tobacco on HIV-modulated gene expression. She is also interested in investigating the role the HIV-Host interaction in HIV pathogenesis using multi-omics data.

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Upasana Nepal, B.S.

Lab Technician

Education:

B.S., 2019, The University of Texas at Austin

Languages Spoken: Nepali, Hindi

Upasana is working with various lab members to study: (1) Influence of recreational substance use on gene expression and biological pathways in YWH on ART; (2) Immune perturbation in HEU children in comparison to HUU children.

Learn more about Upasana Nepal, B.S.

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Jerry Shen

Student Trainee

Languages Spoken: Mandarin

Jerry is a motivated sophomore undergraduate student at the University of Maryland. He is working with lab members to study (1) the effectiveness of computational cell deconvolution methods on PBMCs in individuals with HIV, and (2) the influence of recreational marijuana and tobacco use on HIV-modulated gene expression.

Learn more about Jerry Shen

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Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
September 21, 2022

Strebel Research Group

Molecular and virological investigation of HIV-1 and HIV-2 and their interactions with host factors.

Short Title
Strebel Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group
Klaus Strebel, Ph.D.

Klaus Strebel, Ph.D.

Chief, Viral Biochemistry Section

Education: Ph.D., 1985, University of Heidelberg, Germany

Dr. Strebel received his Ph.D. in microbiology in 1985 from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. After postdoctoral research in Germany on foot-and-mouth disease protein processing and maturation, he joined the Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology (LMM) in 1986 as a postdoctoral fellow to work on molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 replication. He was awarded tenure in 1998 and, since 2000, has been chief of the Viral Biochemistry Section within LMM.

Learn more about Klaus Strebel, Ph.D.

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Helena Fabryova, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Molecular and Cellular Biology, 2017, Charles University, Prague

Languages Spoken: Slovak

Helena Fabryova completed her MSc in Molecular Biology in 2013 at the Comenius University in Bratislava (Slovakia) and her Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2017 in the Genetics and Virology program at the Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic). She studied a wide array of topics including host-virus relationships of endogenous retroviruses and GC rich chicken genes. She joined the...

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Sandra M. Kao, M.S.

Biologist

Education:

M.S., 2000, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Ms. Kao obtained a master’s degree in Microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joined the Strebel lab in 2001 and has since contributed to much of Dr. Strebel’s experimental research.

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Rosa Mallorson, B.S.

Postbac IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry, 2020, Colorado College and Oregon State University

Rosa Mallorson is from Portland, Oregon. She majored in Biochemistry and Environmental Science at Colorado College and Oregon State University in 2020. She has been a Post-bac IRTA fellow in the Strebel lab since August 2020. Her project examines the regulation of host cell gene expression in response to HIV-1 infection. In particular, she focuses on the regulation of mannose receptor expression...

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Eri Miyagi, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Medical Sciences, 1998, University of Yamanashi, Japan

Languages Spoken: Japanese

Eri Miyagi earned her Ph.D. in the medical sciences in 1998 from The University of Yamanashi in Japan. Her thesis work involved studying molecular differences of transcription factors in different types of thyroid cancers using patient samples. Dr. Miyagi has a long-standing interest in molecular and cell biology and her interests gradually shifted towards more basic mechanisms of host defense. Dr...

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Hideki Saito, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Medical Sciences, 2018, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo

Languages Spoken: Japanese

Hideki Saito earned his Ph.D. in medical sciences in 2018 from The Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan. He joined the Strebel lab in 2019 and is studying host-factors involved in HIV-1 replication and characterizing the role of Vpx in HIV-2 replication in the Strebel lab.

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Former Research Group Members

2018-2021 Post-doctoral Fellow, Damien Ferhadian, Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Industry, Paris France

2018-2020 Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA), Abhik Mukherji, B.S.

2018-2020 Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA), Kathryn Brittain, B.S.

2015-2018 Post-doctoral Fellow, Sayaka Sukegawa, Ph.D.

2017-2018 Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA), Casey Salandra, B.S.

2015-2017 Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA), Angela Yoo, B.S.

2014-2015 Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA), Louis Taylor

2010-2016 Post-doctoral Fellow, Sarah Welbourn, Ph.D.

Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
Photo of Strebel Research Group

Viral Biochemistry Section 2022. Front row from left: Hideki Saito, Eri Miyagi, Alex Zhang, Back row: Rosa Mallorson, Klaus Strebel, Sandra Kao, Helena Fabryova.
September 21, 2022

Priola Research Group

Research in this laboratory focuses on the molecular basis of disease in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) or prion diseases. Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative diseases that include sporadic, iatrogenic, and familial Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans: scrapie in sheep; chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer, elk, and moose; and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle.

The conversion of the normally soluble and protease-sensitive host prion protein, PrPC, to an insoluble and partially protease-resistant form, PrPSc, is a key event in prion pathogenesis, and PrPC is required for prion infection and disease to occur. Using both in vitro and in vivo model systems, our laboratory studies the role of PrPC and PrPSc in several aspects of prion pathogenesis, including: 1) the molecular pathogenesis of prion species barriers and strains; 2) the establishment of acute versus chronic prion infection; 3) the contribution of mitochondria to prion pathogenesis; and 4) the development of prion vaccines and therapeutics.

Short Title
Priola Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group
Suzette A. Priola, Ph.D.

Suzette A. Priola, Ph.D.

Chief, TSE/Prion Molecular Biology Section
Deputy Chief, Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity

Education:

Ph.D., 1990, University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Priola received her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology in 1990 from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 1991, she joined the Rocky Mountain Laboratories where she is now a Senior Investigator. She is a former Chair of the FDA TSE Advisory Committee and is currently Deputy Chief of the Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity and Chief of the TSE/Prion Molecular Biology Section.

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Jason R. Hollister, Ph.D.

Education:

Ph.D., Molecular Biology, 2003, University of Wyoming

Dr. Hollister received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology in 2003 from the University of Wyoming. His current research projects involve studying how glycosylation influences both prion protein function and the formation of infectious prions.

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Daniel Shoup, Ph.D.

Education:

Ph.D., Biochemistry & Biophysics, 2016, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Dr. Shoup received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Texas A&M University in 2016 for characterizing the intricacies of protein aggregate disassembly by molecular chaperones using a combination of novel single particle and ensemble fluorescence-based techniques. Using a combination of immunoassays and fluorescence-based techniques, his current research focuses on uncovering how...

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Former Research Group Members

Dr. Ina Vorberg, Ph.D. Professor, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen e.V. (DZNE). Bonn, Germany.

Dr. Robert Faris, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Ames, Iowa USA.

Dr. Young Pyo Choi, DVM, Ph.D. Director, Lab Animal Center, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea.

Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
September 21, 2022

Kristie Research Group

Research in the Molecular Genetics Section focuses on the identifying components and determining mechanisms involved in transcription of herpes simplex virus (HSV) genes during the initiation of lytic infection and during viral reactivation from latency. This includes the integration of transcription factors, coactivators, epigenetic machinery, and transcription elongation factors that impact the expression of the first wave of viral genes.

In some instances, understanding the roles of these components can lead to translational studies that explore the potential of targeting essential/critical components as an approach to suppress HSV infection and disease.

Short Title
Kristie Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group
Thomas M. Kristie, Ph.D.

Thomas M. Kristie, Ph.D.

Chief, Molecular Genetics Section

Education: Ph.D., The University of Chicago, IL

Dr. Kristie received his Ph.D. from the Committee on Virology at the University of Chicago for his work with Dr. Bernard Roizman on the regulation of herpes simplex virus immediate early gene expression. As a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Philip Sharp at the Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Kristie focused on the interaction of components involved in the...

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Thomas M. Kristie, Ph.D.

Jesse H. Arbuckle, Ph.D.

Senior Research Assistant

Education:

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences/Virology, 2011, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Dr. Jesse Arbuckle received his Ph.D. for his work on the chromosome integration of Human Herpesvirus-6A and 6B during latency. In the Molecular Genetics Section Dr. Arbuckle has examined the chromatin remodeler CHD3 and the histone methyltransferase EZH2 function in herpes simplex virus lytic gene expression. His research interests include using in vivo mouse models to understand the chromatin...

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Jodi L. Vogel, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Biochemistry, 1989, The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr. Jodi Vogel received her Ph.D. for her work on functions of the bacteriophage Mu repressor protein. She then moved to the Laboratory of Susan Lindquist at the University of Chicago where she elucidated the role of heat shock proteins in the regulation of mRNA splicing in a yeast model system. Dr. Vogel joined the Molecular Genetics Section in 1994 where she has focused on characterization of...

Learn more about Jodi L. Vogel, Ph.D.

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Former Research Group Members

  • Hua Peng, Ph.D.

    Principal Investigator, Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Chinese Academy of Sciences

  • Bharat Khurana, Ph.D.

    Director, Regulatory Strategies, Takeda

  • Aarthi Narayanan, Ph.D.

    Associate Professor, George Mason University

    Director of Research, American Type Culture Collection

  • Mauricio Nogueira, Ph.D.

    Professor, Faculdade de Medicina de Sao Jose do Rio Preto

    International Faculty, University of Texas Medical Branch

  • Yu Liang, Ph.D.

    Director II, WuXi Biologics-Discovery

  • Ann-Marie Turner, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • Roberto Alfonso-Dunn, Ph.D.

    Research Scientist, TISCH MS Research Center of New York

  • Gaelle Kolb, Ph.D.

    Proposal Manager, Office of the Vice President for Research-University of Maryland

  • Zackary Whitlow, Ph.D.

    Principal Control Engineer, Helmerich and Payne

  • Andy Yanez, B.S.

    M.S. Student-University of Texas School of Public Health

Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
September 21, 2022

DeLeo Research Group

Bacterial pathogenesis and host defense

Short Title
DeLeo Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group
Frank R. DeLeo, Ph.D.

Frank R. DeLeo, Ph.D.

Chief, Laboratory of Bacteriology
Chief, Pathogen-Host Cell Biology Section

Contact: fdeleo@niaid.nih.gov

Education:

Ph.D., 1996, Montana State University

Dr. DeLeo received his Ph.D. in microbiology from Montana State University in 1996, studying the molecular basis of superoxide generation by human neutrophils. He did his postdoctoral training in the area of innate immunity and infectious diseases in the Department of Medicine at the University of Iowa (1996–2000). Dr. DeLeo joined the staff at the NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories in 2000 as a tenure-track investigator. He served previously as Acting Chief (2007-2013) and Chief (2013-2015) of the Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis. Dr. DeLeo was appointed to the NIH Senior Biomedical Research Service (2011-2017) and elected as an American Academy of Microbiology Fellow in 2017. He is currently Chief of the Laboratory of Bacteriology.

Learn more about Frank R. DeLeo, Ph.D.

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Paulina Fernandez-Soto B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Visiting Research Fellow

Education:

B.S., Clinical Biochemistry, 2011, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
M.S., Medical Microbiology, 2014, University of Manchester, Manchester, England
Ph.D., Microbiology, 2019, University of Manchester, Manchester, England

Languages Spoken: Spanish

During her doctoral training under the mentorship of Dr. Tabernero, Paulina’s research was focused on characterizing virulence factors for the development of non-antibiotic drugs for tuberculosis. Paulina’s research interest in Dr. DeLeo's lab is to identify bacterial drug/diagnostic targets by studying their evasion of the innate immunity.

Learn more about Paulina Fernandez-Soto B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

Brett A. Freedman, M.S.

Biologist

Education:

M.S., 2005, Frostburg State University

I studied wildlife/fisheries biology in graduate school. I changed career paths, working with Dr. Mark Jutila’s immunology group at Montana State University in 2006. I have continued this work as a biologist at Rocky Mountain Laboratories since 2010.

Learn more about Brett A. Freedman, M.S.

Scott D. Kobayashi, Ph.D.

Associate Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., 1998, Microbiology, Montana State University

Languages Spoken: French

Dr. Kobayashi studied medical mycology as a graduate student and was a postdoctoral fellow on the antifungal program team at Pharmacia in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dr. Kobayashi also trained as a postdoctoral fellow at the NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories and was an Assistant Professor at the University of Idaho and investigated Yersinia pestis pathogenesis. Dr. Kobayashi’s current research is...

Learn more about Scott D. Kobayashi, Ph.D.

Natalia Malachowa, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., Biochemistry, 2008, Jagiellonian University, Krakow Poland

M.Sc., Biology, Molecular Biology specialization, 2003 Jagiellonian University, Krakow Poland

Languages Spoken: Polish, Russian, German

As a graduate student Dr. Malachowa identified new virulence factors involved in the pathogenesis of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Then she joined Dr. DeLeo lab, as a postdoctoral trainee, at the NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories to focus on innate immunity and infectious diseases. Dr. Malachowa remained at RML and began her employment as a Staff Scientist in 2015. She plays a...

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Adeline Rose Porter, B.S.

Microbiologist

As a member of the DeLeo research group in the Laboratory of Bacteriology, my research focuses primarily on the interaction of human neutrophils with bacterial pathogens.

Learn more about Adeline Rose Porter, B.S.

Former Research Group Members

Postdoctoral Fellows:

2001-2006 Jovanka M. Voyich, Ph.D.

2003-2006 Christopher Burlak II, Ph.D.

2007-2008 Christy L. Ventura, Ph.D.

2005-2009 Amy Palazzolo-Ballance, Ph.D.

2005-2010 Adam D. Kennedy, Ph.D.

2010-2012 Kevin M. Rigby, Ph.D.

2012-2014 Thea Lu, Ph.D.

2013-2015 Amanda J. Brinkworth, Ph.D.

2014-2016 Tyler Nygaard, Ph.D.

2018-2021 Shayla Hesse, M.D.

2019-2020 Qingjing Wang, Ph.D.

2019-2022 Viktoria Rungelrath, Ph.D.

2019-2022 Clement Opoku-Temeng, Ph.D.

Graduate Students (Ph.D. Students):

2007-2011 Shawna F. Graves, Ph.D.

2011-2012 Devon L. Rasmussen, D.D.S.

Post-Bac IRTAs:

2006-2007 Antonia Thomas, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY

2008-2009 Ashley Warren, University of Montana, Missoula, MT

2015-2017 Will McGuinness, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
Image of Frank DeLeo's Research Group, Pathogen-Host Cell Biology Section, 2024

Pathogen-Host Cell Biology Section, 2024. Left to right: Brett Freedman, Biologist; Scott Kobayashi, Associate Scientist; Frank DeLeo, Senior Investigator; Addie Porter, Microbiologist; Natalia Malachowa, Staff Scientist; Paulina Fernandez-Soto, Visiting Research Fellow.
September 21, 2022

Green Research Group

The Caliciviruses Section addresses the role of human caliciviruses in human disease, with a focus on the development of prevention and control strategies for the noroviruses.

Short Title
Green Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group
Kim Green, Ph.D.

Kim Green, Ph.D.

Chief, Caliciviruses Section

Education:

Ph.D., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), Memphis, Tennessee

Dr. Green earned her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences in Memphis in the department of microbiology and immunology. She joined the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases in 1986 and has focused on the study of viruses associated with gastroenteritis. In recent years, her research program has addressed the role of noroviruses in human disease, with an emphasis on the development of prevention and control strategies.

Learn more about Kim Green, Ph.D.

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Natthawan Chaimongkol, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Graduate School of Medicine, 2013, Tohoku University, Japan

Languages Spoken: Thai

My research focuses on preventing and controlling viruses that cause diarrhea, with a specialty in noroviruses. The research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for shifts in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the virus. My expertise includes diagnostic assay development, molecular epidemiology, evolutionary dynamics of noroviruses, and the improvement of stem cell-derived...

Learn more about Natthawan Chaimongkol, Ph.D.

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Yuki Matsushima, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., School of Medicine, 2017, Yokohama City University, Japan

Languages Spoken: Japanese

My research projects are to define the replication machinery of murine noroviruses in relationship to permissive host cell requirements and to develop robust reverse genetics tools for human noroviruses that allow recovery of infectious virus. My research interests are molecular biology and epidemiology for diarrheal, respiratory and rash-associated viruses.

Learn more about Yuki Matsushima, Ph.D.

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Former Research Group Members

Former Postdoctoral Trainees:

2000-2005, Gaël Belliot
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Dijon FR

2002-2005, Kyeong-OK Chang
Professor, Virology
Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine

2006-2013, Karin Bok, Ph.D.
Acting Deputy Director
Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response
VRC, NIAID, National Institutes of Health

2009-2016, Gabriel I. Parra, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Office of Vaccines Research and Review
DVP/FDA

2014-2017, Dennise De Jesus Diaz, Ph.D.
Chief Operations Officer
Remedy Plan Therapeutics

2014-2019, Eric Levenson, Ph.D.
Staff Fellow CBER/FDA

Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
September 21, 2022

Fox Research Group

Viruses have caused the majority of outbreaks and pandemics over the last century. Rapid development of small animal models and understanding of the mechanisms that promote long-term protection to viral infections are critical for the development of vaccines and therapeutic treatments.

Immunity to arthritogenic alphaviruses

Alphaviruses are emerging and re-emerging positive-sense RNA viruses that have caused explosive outbreaks worldwide. The arthritogenic alphaviruses, including chikungunya virus, Mayaro virus, and Ross River virus, cause fever, rash, myalgia, and severe polyarthritis and polyarthralgia. A subset of infected individuals will develop persistent joint pain that can last from months to years, depending on the virus. Following the bite of a mosquito, viruses replicate at the site of infection and disseminate to the joint-associated and musculoskeletal tissues. Viral replication, production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and recruitment of immune cells to these tissues drives localized damage resulting in arthritic disease. Mouse models recapitulate several aspects of arthritogenic alphavirus disease, and we use these models to elucidate mechanism of protection.

While the arthritogenic alphaviruses are genetically distinct, cross protection between the related alphaviruses has been observed.  We work to identify correlates of heterologous immunity to inform novel approaches towards the design of broadly protective vaccines and therapeutics.

Antibody effector functions for protection against viral infections

Virus-specific antibodies use multiple mechanisms to limit viral infection. Antibodies can bind and neutralize free virus thus preventing infection. Additionally, antibodies can clear infected cells or immune complex through interaction of the antibody Fc region with host proteins, such as Fc receptors. Antibody Fc interactions can also modulate the innate and adaptive immune response. Since the structural proteins of alphaviruses stud the surface of infected cells, antibodies can target these infected cells for clearance. Indeed, Fc-Fc gamma receptor interactions have been shown to be required for optimal monoclonal antibody therapy during alphavirus infections. This makes alphaviruses a useful model to interrogate antibody effector functions, which can then be applied to other viral systems. In these studies, we work to determine immune factors that promote a functional antibody response and the impact on cellular immunity that will ultimately lead to enhanced protection.

Short Title
Fox Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group
Julie M. Fox, Ph.D.

Julie M. Fox, Ph.D.

Tenure-Track Investigator
Chief, Emerging Virus Immunity Unit

Education:

Ph.D., 2013, University of Georgia

Dr. Fox received her Ph.D. in infectious diseases from the University of Georgia in 2013 working on host immunity to influenza virus. She completed her postdoctoral training in arbovirus immunity at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases in 2020. Dr. Fox joined the Laboratory of Viral Diseases in 2020.

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Julie Fox, Ph.D.

Victoria M. Callahan, M.S., Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow, IRTA

Education:

B.S., Biology, James Madison University
M.S., Biology, George Mason University
Ph.D., Biosciences, George Mason University

I am specifically interested in studying pro-viral immune phenotypes that contribute to disease caused by New and Old-World Alphaviruses. Currently, I am observing key transcriptional signatures, cytokine production, and immune cell phenotypes that contribute to severe polyarthralgia caused by Chikungunya virus and Ross River virus in mice. With the identification of unique signatures of these...

Learn more about Victoria M. Callahan, M.S., Ph.D.

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Megan M. Dunagan, M.S., Ph.D.

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Education:

B.S., Biochemistry, Miami University
M.S., Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester
Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester

My research involves arthritic alphaviruses. Using mouse models, I aim to characterize mediators of disease as well as immune factors that contribute to viral clearance.

Learn more about Megan M. Dunagan, M.S., Ph.D.

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Mrunal Hiranath Gosavi, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., 2022, Biotechnology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Languages Spoken: Marathi, Hindi

During my Ph.D. program, I worked on the development of the chikungunya vaccine, which involved immunizing mice with adjuvanted-inactivated chikungunya virus (CHIKV) vaccine by intradermal and intramuscular routes. My current focus is on CHIKV, aiming to identify the role of antibody glycosylation in different stages of CHIKV and its impact on antibody-mediated efficacy against the virus.

Learn more about Mrunal Hiranath Gosavi, Ph.D.

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Doreswamy Kenchegowda, M.Sc., Ph.D

Biologist

Education:

Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of Mysore, India 
M.S., Biochemistry, University of Mysore, India 
Staff Scientist, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD

Languages Spoken: Kannada

My current work aims to understand the mechanisms behind the immune-mediated pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and how the antibody-mediated Fc effector functions modify the inflammatory response. Before joining the Fox laboratory, I worked on developing animal models and medical countermeasures for acute radiation injury based on the FDA animal rule and identified noninvasive biomarkers to assess...

Learn more about Doreswamy Kenchegowda, M.Sc., Ph.D

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Former Research Group Members

  • Ryan Nelson, B.S.
  • Veronica Guirguis, B.S.
  • Tammy Y. Chen, M.P.H., M.S.
Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
May 09, 2024

Hinnebusch Research Group

The goal of our research is to understand the genetic and molecular processes underlying flea-borne bubonic plague transmission, infection, and immunity. Our research group uses biologically relevant vector and host model systems for in vivo investigations of the entire life cycle of Yersinia pestis, the bacterial agent of plague.

Short Title
Hinnebusch Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group

B. Joseph Hinnebusch, Ph.D.

Chief, Plague Section

Education:

Ph.D., 1991, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Dr. Hinnebusch received his Ph.D. in microbiology in 1991 from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, studying the molecular structure and replication of linear plasmids of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterial agent of Lyme disease. From 2002 to 2006, he was the recipient of a New Scholar Award in Global Infectious Diseases from the Ellison Medical Foundation.

Learn more about B. Joseph Hinnebusch, Ph.D.

B. Joseph Hinnebusch, Ph.D.

David M. Bland, Ph.D.

Scientist 1

Christopher Bosio, Ph.D.

Microbiologist

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Education:

Ph.D., Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
M.S., Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
B.S., Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

I am studying the correlation of morphometrics of the tick vector, Ixodes scapularis , with blood feeding and transmission of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi . My main interests are in vector-borne disease transmission, vector ecology, and population genetics. Past postdoctoral research experience includes the population genetics and vector competence of the mosquito vector, Aedes...

Learn more about Christopher Bosio, Ph.D.

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Clayton O. Jarrett, M.S.

Biologist

Jeffrey G. Shannon, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
September 20, 2022

de Wit Research Group

The goal of the Molecular Pathogenesis Section (MPS) is to increase our understanding of the pathogenesis of emerging respiratory viruses on every level, from host to molecule. We study the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, Nipah virus, and the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in animal models and human lung and brain organoids.

Short Title
de Wit Research Group
Person List Page Type
Research Group
Emmie de Wit, Ph.D.

Emmie de Wit, Ph.D.

Senior Investigator, Molecular Pathogenesis Section

Education:

Ph.D., Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands

Dr. de Wit received her Ph.D. in virology from Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Her research there focused on the replication, pathogenesis, and transmission of influenza A virus. Dr. de Wit then moved to the Laboratory of Virology of NIAID in Hamilton, Montana, to work in the biosafety level 4 laboratory there. When SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2019, Dr. de Wit focused her research on SARS-CoV-2, developing animal models and using those for testing of medical countermeasures and gaining a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.

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Bridget G. Brackney, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Brigham Young University – Idaho, Rexburg, ID

Bridget is interested in virus-host interactions and the impact of the immune system on pathogenesis. She will be working on evaluating the role of microglia in the host response to viral infections in cerebral organoids.

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Meaghan Flagg, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Harvard University

Meaghan is interested in the immune response and immunopathogenesis of viral infections at mucosal surfaces. She uses 3D human respiratory organoid models to study how viruses and the immune response impact epithelial cell function and tissue repair.

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Kerry Goldin, DVM

Graduate Student

Education:

St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, FL 
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

Kerry studies neuropathology associated with emerging respiratory viruses, including Nipah virus and SARS-CoV-2. Prior to coming to NIH, she graduated from veterinary school and completed a residency in Anatomic Pathology. Kerry is a Fellow in the Comparative Biomedical Scientist Training Program.

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Tessa Lutterman, B.Sc.

Lab Technician

Education:

B.Sc., Allegheny College, PA

Languages Spoken: German

Tessa is interested in the neuropathogenesis of Nipah virus. She is involved with research focused on Nipah virus model development.

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Johan A. Ortiz-Morales, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow

Education:

B.S., Universidad Ana G Mendez, Carolina, Puerto Rico

Languages Spoken: Spanish

Johan is interested in learning about microorganisms. During his time at RML, he will be working with virus-host interactions and respiratory tract organoids.

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Gayatri Subramanian, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., University of Toledo, OH

Languages Spoken: Hindi, Tamil

Gayatri is currently developing a drug-screening model for emerging respiratory viruses using SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A viruses and targeting the Golgi, a critical site for viral replication and innate immunity.

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Brandi Williamson, M.P.H.

Microbiologist

Education:

M.P.H., University of California, Berkeley

Languages Spoken: German

Brandi has studied multiple organisms and vectors throughout her career, including Borrelia hermsii, Ornithodoros hermsi, Colorado Tick fever virus, Dermacentor andersoni, orthobunyaviruses, and hantaviruses. Her work has included next-generation sequencing, animal studies, field work, and molecular biology techniques. Currently in MPS, she aids the research of Nipah, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza viruses.

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Christopher Winski, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN
B.S., University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX

Chris is interested in understanding the pathogenesis of Nipah virus. Specifically, he uses cerebral organoids and in vivo models to study the establishment and progression of disease in the neurological setting.

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Former Research Group Members

Katherine Kaul, Postbac IRTA

Lizzette Pérez-Pérez, Postbac IRTA

Beniah Brumbaugh, Postbac IRTA

Reinaldo Mercado-Hernandez, Postbac IRTA

Manmeet Singh, PhD, Postdoc IRTA

Section
Research
Content Manager
Catherine Bullis
Content Coordinator
Jennifer Caron
de Wit Research Group members

Molecular Pathogenesis Section, 2025. Left to right: Tessa Lutterman, B.S.; Bridget Brackney, B.S.; Meaghan Flagg, Ph.D.; Gayatri Subramanian, Ph.D.; Brandi Williamson, M.P.H.; Kerry Goldin, DVM; Emmie de Wit, Ph.D.; Johan Ortiz-Morales, B.S.; Christopher Winski, Ph.D.

Credit: NIAID
January 14, 2025
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