Research in our laboratory focuses on understanding how the innate immune system detects viral threats and how pathogens evade host defenses to establish infection and cause disease.
Powassan Virus & Pathogenesis
A major focus of our work is Powassan virus (POWV), an emerging tick-borne flavivirus that can cause severe neurological disease in humans. We investigate the molecular determinants of viral pathogenesis and define the host immune pathways that control infection. Our studies aim to uncover the mechanisms that influence viral persistence, tissue tropism, and disease outcome, providing insights into the host-virus interactions that drive severe disease.
Genomic Surveillance & Viral Emergence
Our laboratory leverages next-generation sequencing, metagenomics, and computational biology to identify pathogens that may escape detection by conventional clinical diagnostic assays. Using unbiased sequencing approaches, we seek to uncover previously unrecognized viral and microbial pathogens and improve our understanding of infectious diseases of unknown
etiology.
In parallel, we apply genomic technologies to vector-based surveillance programs to monitor circulating pathogens and detect emerging infectious threats. By integrating pathogen discovery with genomic surveillance, our research aims to strengthen outbreak detection, inform public health responses, and improve preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics. Ultimately, our goal is to bridge fundamental discoveries in virology and immunology with practical applications in pathogen surveillance, diagnostics, and outbreak preparedness.
Current Areas of Interest
Innate immune sensing and viral evasion mechanisms
Host-pathogen interactions during arboviral infection
Powassan virus biology and neuropathogenesis
Emerging tick-borne and vector-borne diseases
Pathogen discovery and genomic surveillance
