Overview
Our research group is primarily interested in the study of respiratory RNA viruses. We have published work on viruses of the families: orthomyxoviridae, paramyxoviridae, and coronaviridae. The research in our laboratory is predominantly focused understanding the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis with the ultimate goal of developing new therapies that can be used to combat both current and future viral diseases.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Minnie Geller Distinguished Professor of Research in Genetics
·
2026 - Present
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
·
2025 - Present
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor in Integrative Immunobiology
·
2025 - Present
Integrative Immunobiology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor in Cell Biology
·
2025 - Present
Cell Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor in Pathology
·
2026 - Present
Pathology,
Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2017 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute
·
2019 - Present
Duke Human Vaccine Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Scholarly Works
Integrating single-cell sQTL mapping with deep-learning splicing prediction identifies causal variants under influenza infection.
Journal article Genome Biol · July 18, 2026 BACKGROUND: Realizing the full potential of human genetics requires identifying causal variants and genes underlying association signals. Molecular quantitative trait locus (molQTL) analyses, such as expression QTL (eQTL) and splicing QTL (sQTL), link gene ... Full text Link to item CiteConstitutive interferon epsilon expression shapes antiviral epithelial states in the female reproductive tract and intestine.
Journal article mBio · June 10, 2026 UNLABELLED: Antiviral defenses at mucosal barriers are essential for preventing viral entry and systemic infection. Interferon epsilon (IFNε) is a unique type I IFN that, unlike other family members, is not induced by infection but is constitutively expres ... Full text Link to item CiteLoss of nsp14-exonuclease activity impairs the replication, proofreading, fitness, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.
Journal article mBio · June 10, 2026 UNLABELLED: Coronaviruses (CoVs) replicate their RNA genomes with a higher degree of fidelity than other RNA viruses, a mechanism mediated by the proofreading and recombination activities of the exoribonuclease domain of replicase nonstructural protein 14 ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Vaccines and Biologics Against Infectious Diseases - T32
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031Deciphering Immune Responses Induced by Complex Antigen Mixtures
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031Mechanisms underlying combination adjuvant-driven improvement of influenza vaccine responses
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031View All Grants
Education
The University of Chicago ·
2012
Ph.D.