https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9351-7409
Overview
Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms that regulate RNA virus-host interactions. We focus primarily on viruses in the Flaviviridae family of viruses, including dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our research is focused on defining (1) how these viruses replicate, (2) the mechanisms that regulate antiviral innate immunity to these viruses, and (3) RNA regulatory controls to both of these processes. Our lab has pioneered approaches to how the RNA modification m6A regulates viral infection, antiviral innate immunity and the host response to virus infection. Our long-term goal is to discover the necessary mechanistic and functional information to guide future development of new strategies for virus treatment and prevention.
Lab Website
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Alternative polyadenylation drives isoform-dependent m⁶A remodeling during Zika virus infection.
Journal Article bioRxiv · March 28, 2026 Viral infection can reprogram host gene expression by selectively remodeling the cellular epitranscriptome. N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) is a reversible RNA modification that is dynamically altered during infection by Flaviviridae viruses, including Zika v ... Full text Link to item CiteIFIT3 Associates with m⁶A-Modified RNA to Restrict Hepatitis C Virus Infection.
Journal Article bioRxiv · March 26, 2026 UNLABELLED: Interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFITs) are RNA-binding effectors that restrict infection by diverse RNA viruses. Among the IFIT family, how IFIT3 recognizes RNA remains the least understood. Here, we identify IFIT3 a ... Full text Link to item CiteA Small Cationic Probe for Accurate, Punctate Discovery of RNA Tertiary Structure.
Journal Article JACS Au · December 22, 2025 RNA molecules fold into intricate three-dimensional tertiary structures that are central to their biological functions. Yet reliably discovering new motifs that form true tertiary interactions remains a major challenge. Here we show that RNA tertiary foldi ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Microbial regulation of intestinal epithelial gene expression
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2028Duke Preparing Research Scholars in Biomedical Sciences- Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2022 - 2027Defining the role of the RNA modification N6-methyladenosine during Flaviviridae virus infection
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2016 - 2027View All Grants