From mechanism to intervention.
RESEARCH PROGRAM
We combine the power of molecular virology, animal models, immunology, and countermeasure development to answer fundamental questions about emerging viruses and translate those discoveries into protective strategies.
CURRENT AREAS OF INTEREST
1. PATHOGENESIS OF EMERGING RNA VIRUSES
We investigate how emerging RNA viruses infect susceptible hosts, disseminate between tissues, and cause respiratory, vascular, neurological, and systemic disease. Our work primarily focuses on coronaviruses—including Sarbecoviruses and Merbecoviruses—and bunyaviruses, particularly hantaviruses and orthobunyaviruses.
2. SYSTEMIC AND MUCOSAL ANTIVIRAL IMMUNITY
We study how systemic and mucosal immune responses control emerging RNA virus infections. Particular emphasis is placed on neurovirulent arboviruses such as orthobunyaviruses, and mucosal immune responses and correlates of protection for respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses, pneumoviruses, and hantaviruses.
3. VACCINES AND ANTIBODY COUNTERMEASURES
We develop vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and adaptable countermeasure platforms against emerging and antigenically diverse viruses. Our goal is to generate interventions that provide broad protection against entire virus families or subgenera.
4. MECHANISMS OF VIRAL EMERGENCE
We investigate how various immune pressures and tissue-specific environments shape host adaptation and transmission. Using coronaviruses and hantaviruses as complementary systems, we seek to define the molecular determinants that govern species tropism, immune escape, and emergence.
