Dr. Alison J. Scott's lab at the University of Maryland Baltimore studies how lipids, a type of fat molecule, impact aging and Alzheimer's disease. Using advanced imaging techniques, the lab examines lipid droplet densities in the brain, aiming to better understand their role in health and disease. This research hopes to improve our understanding of lipid behavior, leading to new insights and potential therapies for age-related brain disorders.

The lab of Dr. Jun Liu at Yale University focuses on understanding how certain bacteria, particularly Helicobacter pylori and spirochetes, manage to move and infect hosts. By studying unique structures called sheathed flagella, which help these bacteria navigate their environments, the lab aims to uncover new ways to combat infections linked to diseases like ulcers and Lyme disease. The research combines advanced imaging techniques with genetic and biochemical methods to reveal insights that could lead to new antibacterial therapies.

Michela Locci's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding how mRNA vaccines, specifically for SARS-CoV-2, regulate immune responses in the body. The research particularly looks at how long-lasting and effective these vaccines are in generating protective antibodies and memory cells. By exploring key questions about immune cell interactions and vaccine effectiveness, the lab aims to improve future vaccine strategies and inform the development of new vaccines against challenging pathogens.

Dr. Carrie L. Lucas' lab at Yale University focuses on understanding how certain immune cells produce antibodies to fight infections. By studying a specific enzyme called PI3K-gamma, the lab investigates its role in B cells, the cells responsible for antibody production. The research efforts aim to uncover how defects in this pathway can lead to severe immune problems and explore potential new treatments for related diseases.

Dr. Shailesh Singh's lab at Morehouse School of Medicine focuses on understanding why African Americans face higher rates and poorer outcomes in lung cancer compared to European Americans. The research combines social factors, like stress, with molecular mechanisms to uncover new ways to improve treatment and patient care. By studying the immune response and molecular biology of lung tumors, the lab aims to create targeted therapies and strategies to reduce health disparities in lung cancer.

Dr. Sharilyn Almodovar's lab investigates how the HIV virus affects the lungs and heart, particularly focusing on a condition known as Pulmonary Hypertension that can occur in people living with HIV. By studying how specific HIV proteins and genetic differences influence lung blood vessel function, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms of disease and potential new treatments. Their research combines cutting-edge techniques with both human cells and animal models to better understand the impact of HIV on lung health.

Dr. Mari Shinohara's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how alveolar macrophages, a type of immune cell in the lungs, respond to fungal infections. They investigate how these macrophages can have both protective and harmful responses during infections, and aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms that lead to their diverse behavior. This research is essential for developing better treatments for patients suffering from pulmonary fungal infections.

Dr. Kamal Mohan Khanna's lab focuses on the role of different macrophage populations in the lung and their functions during immune responses. The research explores how factors like obesity and diabetes can alter these immune responses, especially in the context of respiratory viral infections like COVID-19 and influenza. By understanding how these macrophages operate and adapt, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for improving immune function in affected individuals.

Dr. Zhaoxia Qu's lab focuses on understanding how alveolar macrophages, the immune cells in the lungs, interact with pathogens and maintain lung health. They explore the role of a protein called PDLIM2 in regulating these immune responses, especially in diseases like lung cancer and pneumonia. The lab's research aims to uncover new ways to target lung diseases and improve treatment strategies.

Dr. Lu Huang's lab focuses on understanding how lung macrophages respond to tuberculosis infection. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms that make these cells permissive to the growth of the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes TB. By exploring the origins and metabolic pathways of these immune cells, the lab hopes to develop new strategies and therapies to enhance the fight against TB.

Dr. Wei Luo's lab focuses on developing a universal influenza vaccine by understanding and overcoming immunodominance in B cell responses. They work on novel nanoparticle adjuvants that enhance immune response against less dominant, yet crucial parts of the influenza virus. The research aims to manipulate B cell maturation and antibody diversity to create more effective vaccines against influenza.

Dr. Xue Han's lab at Ohio State University focuses on understanding how the immune system is regulated in lupus, an autoimmune disease. The lab is investigating a specific protein called PD-1H that plays a crucial role in controlling immune responses in tissues affected by lupus. By studying how PD-1H functions, the lab aims to develop new therapies that can better manage lupus and improve patients' health.

Dr. Richard T. Marconi's lab studies Lyme disease, which is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted by ticks. The lab focuses on understanding specific proteins that play key roles in the infection process, including a protein called PlzA that interacts with cyclic-di-GMP, and another called OspC that affects how well the bacteria can spread. By uncovering these molecular mechanisms, the research aims to advance the development of better vaccines and diagnostic tools for Lyme disease.

Dr. Michael Gerner's lab at the University of Washington focuses on understanding how different areas within lymphoid tissues help shape the body's immune responses. The team uses advanced imaging techniques to explore how various immune cells interact during inflammation and vaccination, aiming to uncover the mechanisms behind the formation of distinct immune responses. Their research has implications for better vaccine designs and therapies to enhance immune function.

Dr. Xiaojing Ma's research lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding the role of a gene called UBR5 in cancer, particularly breast and ovarian cancer. By studying how UBR5 affects tumor growth and immune response, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies that could help treat aggressive types of breast cancer that resist current treatments. The findings from this research could significantly improve patient outcomes by targeting specific biological processes that drive cancer progression.

Dr. Kevin R. Macaluso's lab at the University of South Alabama studies flea-borne diseases, focusing on how the bacteria Rickettsia felis is transmitted by fleas. The goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms that facilitate this transmission to improve disease management and prevention strategies. This research not only contributes to public health knowledge but also explores the interactions between different bacterial agents within flea populations.

Dr. Sanjay B. Maggirwar's lab at George Washington University focuses on understanding how platelets contribute to the persistence of HIV infections, particularly in the brain. The research investigates viral reservoirs in the central nervous system of people living with HIV, aiming to develop strategies to eliminate these reservoirs. By studying SIV-infected rhesus macaques, the lab explores the complex interactions between the immune system and HIV, which could be crucial for finding a cure.

Dr. Akhil B Vaidya's lab at Drexel University focuses on understanding fundamental aspects of malaria parasites, particularly how they maintain sodium and lipid balance, and the roles of mitochondria in their survival. The research aims to uncover how these processes can be disrupted by new drugs to combat malaria, a disease that causes significant global health issues. By investigating the molecular pathways involved, the lab strives to identify new targets for antimalarial drug development.

Dr. Hangjun Ke's research lab focuses on understanding the biology of malaria parasites, particularly during the ring stage of their lifecycle. This stage is crucial because it allows the parasite to evade the immune system and is less responsive to existing antimalarial drugs. By studying the unique ways these parasites generate energy without ATP, the lab aims to identify new strategies to combat malaria and improve treatment outcomes.

Dr. James Matthew Burns' lab focuses on developing innovative malaria vaccines using advanced mRNA technology. The research aims to create a multivalent vaccine that targets different stages of malaria parasites, potentially providing better protection against the disease. This involves understanding immune responses and optimizing vaccine formulations to enhance effectiveness.