My research focuses on the host-pathogen interactions of two RNA viral pathogens, arenaviruses and influenza virus, and the development of novel preventative and treatment measures. (1) Arenaviruses such as Lassa fever virus can cause hemorrhagic fevers in humans with limited prophylactic and therapeutic treatments. We are interested in studying the replicative and pathogenic mechanisms of arenaviruses with a particular emphasis placed on the virus-host interactions during viral infections. (2) Current vaccine programs and existing antivirals are unable to provide complete preventative or therapeutic effects due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza virus. We study the roles of host factors and signaling pathways in the influenza viral replication and disease pathogenesis in the lungs. (3) We are developing a novel live viral vector based on a trisegmented Pichinde virus to generate multivalent and cross-reactive vaccines against various human and animal diseases.
