Dr. Rafi Ahmed's lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to chronic viral infections and vaccinations, particularly in the context of T cell memory. His research aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow certain T cells to maintain their function over time, even in the presence of persistent viral infections. By studying these processes, the lab hopes to improve immunotherapies and vaccination strategies, particularly against SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses.

Dr. Jie Jiang's lab at Emory University studies the effects of genetic mutations linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), focusing specifically on the KIF5A gene. They investigate how a mutation in this gene leads to nerve cell degeneration. The lab uses various models to explore how altered protein functions and transport mechanisms contribute to the disease, aiming to discover new treatment avenues for ALS.

Rama Rao Amara's lab at Emory University focuses on developing innovative approaches to vaccinate against HIV and achieve long-term remission from the virus. Their research includes creating DNA-based vaccines that stimulate both strong antibody production and robust cellular immunity, which are crucial for controlling HIV infections. The lab also explores therapies that target the immune system to improve CD8 T cell responses and reduce viral reservoirs, making strides in finding effective treatments for HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Christine M. Dunham's lab focuses on understanding how certain bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, resist antibiotics through specialized mechanisms. They study a particular group of proteins called RND efflux pumps, which help these bacteria expel antibiotics and survive in challenging environments. The research aims to uncover the genetic and molecular processes behind this resistance, paving the way for better treatments against difficult bacterial infections.

Dr. Vanessa Brown's lab at Emory University focuses on understanding anxiety and its associated avoidance behaviors. The research combines neural and behavioral data to create and validate a computational model that helps predict and potentially modify how individuals with anxiety behave in real-world situations. This interdisciplinary approach aims to develop new strategies for treating anxiety disorders.

Dr. Steven A Sloan's lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how the human brain develops, particularly how certain cells in the brain switch from making neurons to making astrocytes, a type of glial cell. Using advanced models like human-derived brain organoids, the lab investigates the genetic and cellular mechanisms that regulate this transition, which is important for normal brain function and is disrupted in various developmental disorders. The research aims to uncover fundamental insights that could provide new strategies for treating neurodevelopmental diseases.

Dr. Robert Liu's research focuses on understanding how the brain processes sounds that carry social meanings, like those used in communication among animals and humans. His lab examines learning mechanisms in the auditory cortex of mice, particularly how they learn to recognize and respond to new sounds in noisy environments. This research is not only important for basic science but also has implications for helping to understand auditory processing disorders and communication challenges in humans.

Dr. Sunil S. Badve's lab at Emory University focuses on innovative approaches to improve the prediction and treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). By utilizing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and deep learning, the lab aims to develop a comprehensive risk assessment tool known as the CaPRI score, which will help identify patients at high risk of lethal outcomes and optimize their therapy accordingly.

Dr. Lena H Ting's lab focuses on understanding how our brain and body work together to keep us standing and balanced, particularly as we age or when we have conditions like strokes or Parkinson's disease. Through advanced techniques like brain imaging, her research aims to identify specific neural signals that indicate balance health and fall risk. This will help develop personalized interventions to improve balance and quality of life for those with balance impairments.

Dr. Jeremy M. Boss's lab focuses on understanding how B cells, which are crucial for the immune response, decide between becoming antibody-secreting cells or memory B cells. By examining the transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms involved in this decision-making process, the lab aims to uncover the pathways that inform these fates. This research is important for developing effective vaccines and immune therapies, especially in the context of emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19.

Dr. Fikri Birey’s lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how the brain develops by studying the signals that guide brain cells as they grow and differentiate. Using advanced technologies, the lab creates models of human brain tissue to explore how specific signals are integrated during brain formation. This research aims to reveal insights that could lead to new treatments for diseases related to brain development and function.

Dr. Yong Wan's research lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how certain proteins involved in breast cancer, specifically B7-H4 and CD73, can evade the immune system and resist treatment. By studying how these proteins are modified and regulated, the lab aims to uncover new strategies to improve treatment outcomes, especially in aggressive types of breast cancer like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Their work could lead to the development of novel therapies that enhance the body's ability to fight cancer.

Dr. David Sung-Wen Yu's lab focuses on understanding how a protein called SAMHD1 affects the response of breast cancer cells to radiation therapy and immunotherapy. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms by which SAMHD1 influences the immune environment in triple-negative breast cancer and explore novel strategies to improve treatment outcomes by targeting this protein. By doing so, the lab hopes to identify potential biomarkers for patient selection and develop innovative ways to enhance cancer therapy effectiveness.

Dr. James K. Rilling's lab at Emory University focuses on improving the well-being of caregivers for individuals with dementia through cognitive empathy training. The research explores how this training impacts mental health, inflammation, and immune function, utilizing various psychological and neurobiological assessments. The ultimate aim is to support caregivers in managing stress better while providing care for their loved ones.

Dr. Deqiang Qiu's lab at Emory University focuses on advancing our understanding of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) through innovative research combining artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced neuroimaging techniques. The team aims to develop explainable and ethically sound AI models for diagnosing and predicting AD while studying how blood flow in the brain impacts cognitive function in early stages of the disease. Their work seeks to enhance patient care and develop therapeutic interventions that address both AD and related vascular issues.

Dr. Lih-Shen Chin's lab at Emory University focuses on understanding Lewy body dementia (LBD), which includes conditions like Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. The research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that contribute to LBD's development and how it differs from Alzheimer's disease. By analyzing proteins and sugars in the brain, the lab hopes to identify new diagnostic markers and treatments for this challenging form of dementia.

Dr. Karen Conneely's lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how genetic mutations in blood stem cells can influence the risk of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in older adults. They use advanced genomic technologies to analyze samples from large populations, looking at how DNA modifications and gene expression patterns change in individuals with clonal hematopoiesis. This research aims to uncover the biological pathways that connect these genetic changes to heart health.

Dr. Max Dale Cooper's lab at Emory University studies a unique group of jawless fish called lampreys to better understand how our immune system evolved. The lab focuses on characterizing special immune cells and antibodies found in lampreys that might help us learn more about human diseases, including various cancers. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR and sequencing, they aim to uncover the complexities of adaptive immunity and develop novel diagnostic tools from lamprey antibodies.

Dr. Michael R Deans' lab at Emory University investigates how specific proteins influence the development of hair cells in the inner ear, which are crucial for balance and motion detection. The team focuses on a protein called STK32A, studying how it helps shape the orientation of hair cell structures that detect movement. Their research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind hair cell organization and how disruptions in these processes could lead to balance disorders.

Dr. Annaelle Devergnas' research lab at Emory University focuses on understanding the propagation of temporal lobe seizures through the basal ganglia in order to develop better treatment options for epilepsy. Researchers study how different patterns of seizure onset influence the way these seizures travel through brain circuits. The lab uses a non-human primate model to explore the dopaminergic system and its role in seizure control, aiming to uncover insights that could lead to individualized therapies for patients suffering from intractable epilepsy.