Brenchley Research Group

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.

Group photo of the Brenchley Research Group.
Credit: NIAID

Jason Brenchley, Ph.D.

Chief, Laboratory of Viral Diseases

Senior Investigator, Barrier Immunity Section

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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.

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Grace Bodykevich, B.S.

Postbaccalaureate Fellow

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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