Juliana Girdner

Jules Girdner started as a PhD student in Duke's Molecular Genetics and Microbiology program in fall 2024. She works in Dr. Tony Moody's lab in the Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases studying influenza and immune imprinting. She's especially interested in virology, emerging infectious disease, and the intersection of basic science, clinical research, and public health. She graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry and B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics from UCLA in winter 2024 where she worked in Dr. Melody Li's lab on alphaviruses and the type I IFN response. Outside the lab, Jules enjoys rugby, yoga, board games, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Student Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments

Recent Publications

Positive selection analyses identify a single WWE domain residue that shapes ZAP into a more potent restriction factor against alphaviruses

Journal Article PLOS Pathogens · August 29, 2024 The host interferon pathway upregulates intrinsic restriction factors in response to viral infection. Many of them block a diverse range of viruses, suggesting that their antiviral functions might have been shaped by multiple viral families during ... Full text Cite

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