Trainers Directory

Current research interest concerns epigenetic control mechanisms that regulate HIV transcription and latency.  Understanding these mechanisms is central to current efforts to induce latent viruses as part of an HIV eradication strategy.  We have established new model systems for studying HIV latency and identified novel signaling pathways leading to proviral reactivation and silencing – key insights that support current efforts at HIV eradication and cure.  Additional projects include harnessing NK cells to eradicate the latent HIV reservoir. Another theme is studies of HIV infection and latency in microglial cells, a key factor in the development of neurocognitive defects. Finally, we have recently initiated projects on the replication of SARS-CoV-2 using a reverse genetics strategy. We are also developing new diagnostic assays for detection of intracellular SARS-CoV-2 replication.

Jonathan Karn's Biography 

My research includes immunoregulatory mechanisms of malaria and worm pathogenesis, including acquired resistance to infection and malaria biology.

James W. Kazura's Biography 

My research is in inflammatory processes in cystic fibrosis lung disease, inflammatory cell signaling mechanisms, microtubule regulation, and MIRAGE syndrome.

Thomas Kelley's Biography 

My research includes mechanisms of breast cancer initiation, growth, and metastasis, as well as mechanisms of therapeutic response and resistance in cancer.

Ruth Keri's Biography

We study the mechanisms of acquired immunity to malaria, SARS-CoV-2 and filariasis with a focus on humoral immunity.  This work involves B cell molecular immunology and development human monoclonal antibodies as therapies.  We also develop novel tools for control and elimination of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.

Christopher L. King's Biography 

My lab utilizes mouse models and other approaches to study animal and human prion diseases, especially on zoonosis of animal prions (such as mad cow disease in cattle and chronic wasting disease in deer, elk and moose) and modeling, diagnosis and pathogenesis of various prion diseases.  We also are developing gene and cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases (such as prion diseases and Alzheimer's disease), cancer and diabetes. 

Qingzhong Kong's Biography 

I analyze high-throughput biological data, algorithmic and analytical methods in systems/network biology, algorithms for data mining and analysis, parallel computing, algorithms for distributed systems, and optimization problems in scientific computing.

Mehmet Koyutürk's Biography 

I research self-propagating misfolded proteins of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinson’s, and prion diseases. I also focus on the analysis of what makes a misfolded protein transmissible, and what makes a transmissible protein seed pathogenic to the host. 

Allison Kraus's Biography

We develop and apply computational tools to identify molecular variants that contribute to cancer and related diseases in humans. 

Thomas LaFramboise's Biography 

We use in vivo imaging models to interrogate the tumor microenvironment, examining communication mechanisms in cancer stem cells, currently focused on malignant brain tumors.

Justin D. Lathia's Biography