Virginia

Research in my laboratory include both basic and translational projects focused primarily on respiratory disease. One research area is understanding the pathogenesis of respiratory virus infections, focusing on the role of dendritic cells and T lymphocytes in the disease process. The improved understanding of these cells in the host-pathogen interactions will be applied to vaccine and antiviral drug development. A cross-protective vaccine tor prevention and treatment of Gram-negative healthcare-associated infections is a second research area. Development of a point-of-care diagnostic kit to differentiate viral and bacterial respiratory infections is underway, using immunologic biomarkers as analytes. Multiple natural products are currently under investigation for efficacy in prevention and treatment of respiratory and dermal disease. Primary technologic capabilities used in the lab include culture and functional assays of various transformed and primary epithelial and immune cells; growth and infection studies using multiple viruses and bacteria; protein purification and analysis; flow cytometry; immunoassays; vaccine antigen design and immunogenicity testing; and fluorescent microscopy.

My research focuses on developmental and reproductive toxicity, particularly aimed at preventing birth defects. I am interested in the maternal and paternal influences on fetal development of the nervous and immune systems. I examine how parental environmental exposures, nutrition, and the microbiome alter development, with an emphasis on folic acid, and common quaternary ammonium disinfectants and cleaners.