https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1884-6309
Research Interests
We study the pathways by which microorganisms cross cellular barriers and the mechanisms by which these barriers restrict microbial infections. Our studies primarily focus on the epithelium that lines the gastrointestinal tract and on placental trophoblasts, the cells that comprise a key cellular barrier of the human placenta. Our work is highly multidisciplinary and encompasses aspects of cell biology, immunology, and microbiology. Our long-term goals are to identify pathogen- and host-specific therapeutic targets to prevent or treat microbial infections and ultimately to alleviate the morbidity and mortality caused by these infections.
Selected Grants
Model Systems Core (MODS Core)
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Weill Cornell Medicine · 2024 - 2029Interferon-inducible cell-intrinsic host defense against Chlamydia trachomatis
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2024 - 2028Microbial regulation of intestinal epithelial gene expression
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2028Identifying and modeling immune correlates of protection against congenital CMV transmission after primary maternal infection
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Weill Cornell Medicine · 2023 - 2028Control of influenza virus induced type I interferon signaling during pregnancy
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2022 - 2027Host factors required for Enterovirus D70 infection and ocular tropism
FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2027Design and testing picornavirus vaccine candidates
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Vanderbilt University Medical Center · 2024 - 2027Placental resistance and response to the teratogenic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Pittsburgh · 2022 - 2027Examining the role of immune activation in transposon-triggered sterility.
FellowshipCo-Sponsor · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2023 - 2026Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2021 - 2026Investigating how placental trophoblasts respond to and defend against HCMV infection
FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2024 - 2026Enterovirus Infection of Polarized Intestinal Cells
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021 - 2026Live-attenuated Rift Valley fever vaccines: comparative mechanisms of trans-placental transmission and vaccine efficacy for developing fetuses
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Pittsburgh · 2021 - 2026The Role of FcRn in Echovirus Entry and Pathogenesis
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2022 - 2026Placenta Opioid and Perinatal Implications (POPI)
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Kentucky · 2023 - 2026Genetic and Genomics Training Grant
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025Innate immune signaling in placental antiviral defenses
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2025Basic Immunology Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025Antiviral Countermeasure Development Center (AC DC)
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Emory University · 2022 - 2025Viral Oncology Training Grant
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1980 - 2025Development of vaccine platforms for echovirus-associated IBS
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Moderna Therapeutics, Inc. · 2023 - 2024Innate Immune Regulation of Zika Virus Infection
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Washington · 2023 - 2024External Relationships
- American Society for Microbiology
This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.