Lab Members

BS Biochemistry, Genetics & Development, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1983 PhD Immunology, University of California, Berkeley, 1988

PhD, Northwestern University

In short, I utilize non-human primate and human tissue models to assess male to female mucosal HIV transmission and broadly neutralizing antibody localization and distribution. I am especially interested in the potential mechanisms of how high progesterone environments affect both HIV transmission and in vivo antibody distribution.

PhD, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

My work combines virology and evolutionary biology to study viral evolution and the interaction between viruses and the host during infection. My main interests are RNA viruses, molecular evolution, and genomics. The ultimate goal of my research is to understand the virus-host system and its evolutionary properties in order to develop the best treatments and prevention strategies for human viral infections. During my career, I have led published studies on the evolution of HIV-1 and contributed greatly to the field of RNA virus host-virus genetics. I utilize state-of-the-art sequencing technologies and a combination of evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, statistical modeling, complex data analysis, and phylogenetics to answer fundamental questions about viral population dynamics and viral interaction with the host. I am the director of bioinformatics of the Northwestern University Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution (CPGME) and a faculty member of Northwestern’s Institute of Global Health, the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research (TC CFAR), and the Buehler Center for Health Policy and Economics. I am involved in several fascinating projects focused on intra-host viral evolution, virus-host interaction, and viral population dynamics.

My work focuses on understanding the HIV capsid behavior that leads to a productive infection pathway. In my research I apply different physical and life sciences techniques and use the skills I achieved during my PhD work on developing HIV capsid stability assay to investigate the effect of drugs and small molecules.

In the field of HIV research, a major hurdle in eradicating the virus lies in the presence of the latent viral reservoir. My primary objective is to locate and quantify this reservoir, using innovative techniques and approaches. By understanding its characteristics and behavior, I strive to develop effective strategies that can ultimately lead to the elimination of the latent viral reservoir and contribute to the advancement of HIV treatment and prevention.

My research bridges artificial intelligence (AI) and biomedical science to enhance our understanding of diseases like HIV-1. I am expert in leveraging AI algorithms, bioinformatics, and GenAI to investigate critical events in viruses such as HIV-1. Through the integration of AI with cutting-edge sequencing technologies and advanced statistical modeling, I analyze complex datasets to explore viral population dynamics and host-virus interactions. My ultimate goal is to unravel the virus-host system and its evolutionary dynamics, providing insights that can drive the development of more effective treatment and prevention strategies for human viral infections.

My work focuses on understanding early events in SIV reservoir establishment and viral rebound dynamics. In my research I utilize various imaging techniques and build up on the skills I gained during my PhD which include application of deep-sequencing techniques and molecularly barcoded pathogens to evaluate viral and mycobacterial population dynamics in nonhuman primates, specifically focusing on SIV/Mtb co-infection and post-treatment control of SIV.

I am working in a virology field, specifically HIV-1. In my research, I utilize deconvolution and super-resolution microscopy as well as several lab techniques to analyze human and macaque tissues and biopsies. I am involved in analysis of shave-biopsy of glans, foreskin and shaft from two uninfected groups of living donors, circumcised and uncircumcised men. As the tissue samples were infected post collection with PA GFP-HIV-1 labelled Bal virus I am able to use deconvolution microscopy for virion count, proportion and depth of viral penetration. I also analyze immunofluorescence images of potential HIV-1 target cells in these tissues such as CD4+, CD3+ and CCR10+. My research contributes to a better understanding of how circumcision can change the barrier function of glans and shaft epithelium, as well as can decrease of HIV-1 acquisition in circumcised men.

I'm currently involved in research focusing on HIV infection, working with different protocols to better understand the mechanisms of the disease and molecules involved in HIV reservoir. Previous experience in academic research and industry working with hemato-oncology, cardiovascular and vaccine protocols.

I conduct positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) analyses for various research projects, including studies on the dynamics of SIV infections from virus challenge, through long-term ART treatment, and viral rebound after ART cessation, utilizing a PET/CT 64Cu-FAB2 probe (7D3) in a rhesus macaque model. In these studies, a PET/CT-guided necropsy is used to direct the isolation of tissue samples containing infected cells for further analyses such as quantitative-PCR and immunofluorescence. I develop and utilize methods to quantitatively analyze the PET signals and to follow the establishment and progression of a viral reservoir within the whole body of an animal. I am also involved in a project focused on using 89Zr based PET/CT to visualize, quantify, and compare the biodistribution of broadly neutralizing antibodies in a whole-body rhesus macaque model. My portion of this work focuses on long-term, iterative imaging of an animal following antibody treatment, observing the distribution, accumulation, and rates of elimination of the radio-labeled antibodies.

My work focuses on understanding the kinetics and dynamics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) during the early stages of its life cycle. Using various cell biology approaches, I am investigating how the host cell microenvironment influences the rate and extent of post-entry events in HIV-1, such as the kinetics and dynamics of reverse transcription and capsid core uncoating.

My research focuses on understanding the potential of the broadly neutralizing antibody ePGDM1400v9 to prevent HIV infection. I am evaluating the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of ePGDM1400v9 and assessing how posttranslational modifications including glycosylation and Fc deletion alter antibody trafficking in the African Green Monkey model. I am also analyzing the relationship between the high-progesterone environment created during pregnancy and alterations to immune cell populations such as Th17 cells and mast cells by comparing intraepithelial ectocervical and vaginal tissues from pregnant and non-pregnant women.

I focus on understanding the modulation of mast cell environment by HIV proteins. I study changes in proliferation and inflammatory expression of mast cells as well as I`m interested in the use of mast cell therapies to relieve viral load and target the potential source of inflammation.

My work focuses on supporting various tasks for researchers in our lab. I use bioinformatics tools to identify and quantify positively stained cells in immunofluorescence imaging and perform RNAseq analysis. I am also responsible for the input phase of our spatial transcriptomics project. My duties include ensuring the integrity of RNA samples, preparing precise cryosections for 10x Genomics slides, and executing probe hybridization and extension processes. Additionally, I contribute to optimizing staining protocols to locate the SIV reservoir in the brain through immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry.