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Maria Blasi

Associate Professor in Medicine
Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Box 103020, Durham, NC 27710
2 Genome Court, Msrbii, Room 3077, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Maria Blasi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and a member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Blasi completed her undergraduate and Ph.D. studies in Italy at the Sapienza University in Rome. She moved to Duke in 2012 for a postdoctoral position in Mary Klotman’s laboratory at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI). She joined the faculty at Duke in 2017. 

The Blasi laboratory has two main areas of research: 1) understanding the mechanisms and implications of viral infections in the kidney, including HIV and SARS-CoV-2 and 2) development of vaccines and therapeutics against a variety of infectious diseases. 

Dr. Blasi is also the co-director of the DHVI training mentoring program (DTMP). The DTMP is committed to providing an outstanding training environment and research experiences that will enhance trainees career and provide avenues to incorporate education, expertise, initiative and dedication to the success of the studies. The DTMP strives to support personal and professional growth of trainees in an environment of established trust, respect, realistic expectations, and effective communications. 

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Medicine · 2023 - Present Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Medicine
Assistant Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology · 2023 - Present Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute · 2017 - Present Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published April 21, 2020
Why Do Some People Infected with Coronavirus Fare Worse Than Others?

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Recent Publications


Breast milk delivery of an engineered dimeric IgA protects neonates against rotavirus.

Journal Article Mucosal Immunol · April 2025 Dimeric IgA (dIgA) is the dominant antibody in many mucosal tissues. It is actively transported onto mucosal surfaces as secretory IgA (sIgA) which plays an integral role in protection against enteric pathogens, particularly in young children. Therapeutic ... Full text Link to item Cite

Longitudinal analysis of viral dynamics in HIV+-to-HIV+ HOPE Act kidney-transplant recipients.

Journal Article J Clin Invest · September 10, 2024 BACKGROUNDThe HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act allows individuals living with HIV to accept organs from donors with HIV. This practice widens the pool of available organs, but also presents important virological issues, including the potential for HIV su ... Full text Link to item Cite

Initiator cell death event induced by SARS-CoV-2 in the human airway epithelium.

Journal Article Sci Immunol · July 12, 2024 Virus-induced cell death is a key contributor to COVID-19 pathology. Cell death induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is well studied in myeloid cells but less in its primary host cell type, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) - NIAID

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2029

Identification of Host-Specific Determinants of APOL1-associated COVAN

ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2029

U2C/TL1 NC KUH TRIO Administrative Core

ResearchPreceptor · Awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill · 2023 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


La Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) · 2012 Ph.D.