Overview
The activities of the Ferrari Laboratory are based on both independent basic research and immune monitoring studies. The research revolves around three main areas of interest: class I-mediated cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), gene expression in NK and T cellular subsets upon infection with HIV-1. With continuous funding over the last 11 years from the NIH and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation along with many other productive collaborations within and outside of Duke, the Ferrari Lab has expanded its focus of research to include the ontogeny of HIV-1 specific immune responses that work by eliminating HIV-1 infected cells and how these can be induced by AIDS vaccine candidates.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor in Surgery
·
2021 - Present
Surgery, Surgical Sciences,
Surgery
Research Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
·
2021 - Present
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute
·
2009 - Present
Duke Human Vaccine Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute
·
2009 - Present
Duke Global Health Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
HIV, HPV, and oral health in Tanzania: a scoping review.
Journal Article Infect Agent Cancer · May 26, 2026 BACKGROUND: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at an increased risk of oral manifestations, including those linked to human papillomavirus (HPV). In Tanzania, the prevalence and impact of oral HPV among PLHIV remain unknown. This scoping review aimed to ma ... Full text Link to item CiteDNA electroporation of HIV Env elicits robust T cell responses and memory B cell responses with muted serum antibody levels that can be boosted with recombinant protein.
Journal Article Vaccine · April 19, 2026 Broadly neutralizing antibodies against the HIV envelope protein exhibit the potential to prevent HIV-1 acquisition, a concept demonstrated both in non-human primate (NHP) challenge models and in human clinical trials. The use of DNA for vaccination, in co ... Full text Link to item CiteCoordinated immune response distinguishes duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral particle shedding in humans.
Journal Article iScience · April 17, 2026 SARS-CoV-2 acquisition induces a spectrum of COVID-19 disease severity and duration among people. Prolonged viral antigen shedding (PVS) is defined as when a person tests positive by direct antigen tests performed a minimum of 21 days apart. It is unclear ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Nonhuman Primate Option 1
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2032External Quality Assurance Program Oversight Laboratory (EQAPOL)
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2024 - 2031Transdisciplinary Research in Infectious Diseases to Engage Third-year medical students (TRIDENT) R25
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030View All Grants
Education
University of Genoa (Italy) ·
1985
M.D.