Basic & Translational Research

Dr. Kyei specializes in HIV basic and translational research, with a special focus on viral latency and reactivation specifically:  (i) characterization of factors that control HIV replication in macrophages, dendritic and resting T cells and (ii) identification of cellular factors and small molecules required for HIV reactivation in latently infected cell and (iii) perspectives of HIV patients on HIV cure.

The Leung Lab is focused on developing a mechanistic understanding of host-pathogen interactions that contribute to viral pathogenesis through immune evasion.

Dr. Ma is skilled in Cell Biology, Science, Molecular Biology, Research, and Teaching. Strong education professional with a Ph. D. focused in Immunology of aquatic animals from Ocean University of China.

Dr. Marks specializes in clinical infectious diseases with a special focus on infectious complications in people who inject drugs.

Dr. Miller manages core operations, technical & scientific consultations , 2-photon imaging. His interests are in vivo imaging approaches to study cellular immunity, in particular cellular mechanisms of antigen presentation and leukocyte trafficking during infection and inflammation.

Dr. Mitreva is an internationally acclaimed scientist who leads a basic and translational research program studying neglected tropical diseases, specifically helminth infections. Her enduring dedication to enhancing omics-driven discoveries and their clinical applications is paving the way for long-lasting improvements in global health.

Dr. Mittal specializes in the intricate dynamics of host-pathogen interactions, with a particular emphasis on the innate immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).

Areas of Interest in ID:
Host pathogen interaction in bacterial pathogenesis

Dr. Philips is principal investigator of an NIH-funded lab that studies how Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades the host immune response.

Dr. Pinzone’s interests are HIV, TB and viral infections in immunocompromised hosts.

Dr. Presti specializes in clinical and translational research in infectious disease, with a special focus on HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections.

Dr. Rauseo specializes in clinical infectious diseases, with a special focus on mycology and infectious that affect immunocompromised hosts. Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic she has served as an investigator in the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Unit (ID-CRU) in multiple clinical trials and translational research in the fight against COVID-19.

Dr. Rosa’s experience in the statistical analysis of complex datasets (utilizing multiple types of evidence spanning treatments or species) has led to the identification differentially expressed genes, drug targets and pathways of interest for experimental verification.

Dr. Sheehan specializes in personalized structural biology, with a special focus on the molecular basis of disease mechanisms.

Dr. Sheikh specializes in bacterial pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, host responses, and vaccines, with a special focus on enteric bacterial pathogens including enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC).

Dr. Shen studies the structural mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions with an emphasis on the signaling involving NOD-like receptors and other pattern recognition receptors. The ultimate goal is to provide the molecular basis for the development of therapeutics targeting various infectious diseases.

The main focus of Dr. Strauch's research is on how to diagnose, prevent and treat viral infections with the aim to generate new antivirals and candidates for vaccination through protein design.

Dr. Thackray specializes in basic research on RNA viruses with a specific focus on the role of the microbiome in host immunity and pathogenic outcome following systemic virus infection. She also uses model systems to characterize therapeutics and vaccines against emerging pandemic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

Dr. Trautner’s research focuses on diagnostic and antibiotic stewardship, particularly for urinary tract infections (UTIs). She has led trials to disseminate successful antibiotic stewardship interventions, improve the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs in men, develop bacteriophage therapy for UTIs in individuals with spinal cord injuries, and to reduce overdiagnosis of catheter-associated UTI.

Dr. Weil’s research group conducts research on filarial nematode parasites that cause important tropical diseases such as elephantiasis and river blindness. This includes basic research on parasite biology and translational research to develop improved diagnostic tests and treatments.