Immunology, Immunopathology
My research lab is interested in understanding the host immune response to HIV and the effect that HIV-infection has on host immunity to other pathogens. HIV+ immunocompromised individuals cannot mount robust immune responses like those who are otherwise healthy. We use nonhuman primates with defined host MHC genetics to understand key factors of immunity against SIV, a virus closely related to HIV. We are also developing novel SIV virus stocks to improve our understanding of viral compartmentalization and viral evolution, in vivo. In addition, we are collaborating with others to develop nonhuman primate co-infection models to identify factors that contribute to failed host immunity to M.tuberculosis in animals who have an ongoing SIV infection.