Post-Doctoral Fellow, IRTA
Education:
B.S., Biology, James Madison University
M.S., Biology, George Mason University
Ph.D., Biosciences, George Mason University
Biography
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 virally induced phenotypes, I hope to identify mechanisms in which the virus may be exploiting the host-immune system to promote viral replication or other activities. Additionally, I am interested in identifying novel monoclonal antibodies to CHIKV that may aid in the neutralization of these virus and subsequently ameliorate the arthritic disease phenotypes using mouse models.