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
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 CiteLongitudinal 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 CiteInitiator 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 CiteRecent Grants
Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) - NIAID
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2029Identification of Host-Specific Determinants of APOL1-associated COVAN
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2029U2C/TL1 NC KUH TRIO Administrative Core
ResearchPreceptor · Awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill · 2023 - 2028View All Grants