Emory IPIRC : Faculty

Rafi Ahmed, Ph.D., Project 4 Leader

Dr. Ahmed's lab is studying the immune responses to influenza infection and vaccination, focusing on B cell response and the production of neutralizing antibodies. The mechanism of viral persistence remains a major unresolved problem and the goal of our lab is to understand how viruses evade or suppress the immune response and persist in vivo. We are using two natural models of viral persistence: 1) Infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus to study the interaction between the virus and the immune system of its natural host and to define conditions that lead to viral clearance or persistence. 2) Infection of rabbits with Shope papillomavirus allows examination of the immune response during various stages of neoplasia, papilloma development, spontaneous regression, and progression to carcinoma. Our approach is to combine the disciplines of virology and immunology to attain a better understanding of virus vs. host interaction.

John Altman, Ph.D., Project 4 Co-leader
John Altman, Ph.D.
Dr Altman is co-project leader with Dr. Ahmed. The Altman lab is interested in defining the relationships between T cell phenotypes and effectors functions that can be assessed using short-term in vitro assays (that do not require amplification of T cell populations), as well as using adoptive transfer experiments in mouse models that permit in vivo testing of the efficacy of purified T cell subsets.

Tanya Cassingham, Center Project Manager, Director of Programs

Ms. Cassingham is responsible for daily operations of the Center, management of staff, tracking timeline and milestones progress, and overseeing the budgets.

Richard W. Compans, Ph.D., Director of IPIRC

A major focus of the Compans lab is to develop virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine antigens which are effective in eliciting protective immune responses against viral infection. A major focus is on developing safe and effective vaccines to prevent pandemic influenza. Other projects include developing vaccines for HIV-1 prevention, with emphasis on inducing broadly reactive neutralizing antibody responses to primary HIV-1 isolates to prevent infection at mucosal surfaces; developing novel approaches for vaccine delivery such as direct application to the skin, including self-administered microneedle patches for influenza vaccines; and investigating the functional activity of viral glycoproteins in mediating membrane fusion, which is involved in the entry of lipid-enveloped viruses into host cells.

Richard Cummings, Ph.D., Project 1 collaborator
Richard Cummings, Ph.D.
Dr. Cumming's lab focuses on glycoconjugate structure/function/biosynthesis; cell adhesion involving lectins and glycoproteins in human inflammation, tumor metastasis and schistosomiasis. The Cummings laboratory is a Core Facility for the Consortium for Functional Glycomics, funded by the NIGMS/NIH. Dr. Cummings is studying the receptor binding of wild type and mutant influenza HA proteins.

Vicki Hertzberg. Ph.D., Director of Data Management

Dr. Hertzberg's collaborative interests include the analysis of a variety of studies of stroke: clinical trials, epidemiology, and genetics. She is currently involved in the WASID trail and the Coverdell Stroke Registry. She also collaborates on the design of genetic and epidemiologic studies of stroke. In addition to her work in stroke, she is the lead statistician for the ProTECT trial and the director of the data analysis center for the study, Genetic/Exposure Interaction for Chronic Beryllium Disease.

Jeff Hogan, Ph.D., Project 2 collaborator

Dr. Hogan is a collaborator on Project 2 at UGA. He is also working to develop antiviral therapies (i.e. siRNA therapeutics) against SARS CoV, influenza, West Nile, and orthopoxviruses.

Joshy Jacob, Ph.D., Project 3 Leader

Dr. Jacob is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Jacob studies the phenomenon known as "original antigenic sin". Humans previously exposed to influenza virus, upon infection with a novel influenza strain, produce antibodies directed primarily against the older viral strains at the expense of responses to novel protective antigenic determinants thus exacerbating the severity of current infection. This blind spot of the immune system and the redirection of responses to the "original antigen," but not to the current virus is well established but poorly understood.

Douglas Lowery-North, M.D., Emory Pilot Project Leader

Dr Lowery is lead investigator of a pilot research project entitled "Identification of Social Contacts in the Emergency Department (ISCED)," which studies transmission of influenza between ED patients and healthcare workers.

Walter Orenstein, M.D., Associate Director of IPIRC

Dr. Orenstein is the Director of the Emory Program for Vaccine Policy and Development, as well as the Associate Director of the Emory Vaccine Center. Dr. Orenstein served for 26 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where he led the National Immunization Program (NIP) dedicated to reducing vaccine-preventable disease burdens around the world. Dr. Orenstein has served as an Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service and as the CDC liaison member to the National Vaccine Advisory Committee for more than 14 years. As the Center's Associate Program Director for Operations Management and Initiatives, Dr. Orenstein will oversee the evaluation of scientific priorities, monitor the progress of current projects, evaluate the contribution of these projects to the achievement of Center goals, and facilitate the exploration of new avenues of research through the distribution of seed grant funds.

Bali Pulendran, Ph.D., Project 4 collaborator

Dr. Pulendran is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of the Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Pulendran's lab studies immune response to particular pathogens. Central to the immune system's decision-making process are dendritic cells, which command and orchestrate the immune system. Because the development of effective vaccines relies upon arousing the appropriate type of immune response, Dr. Pulendran aims to identify ways to stimulate dendritic cell production and activity.

Ioanna Skountzou, M.D., Ph.D., Project 3 Co-Leader

Dr. Skountzou is co-project leader with Dr. Jacob, focusing on studies of the phenomenon known as “original antigenic sin”.

David Steinhauer, Ph.D., Project 1 Leader

The Steinhauer laboratory is primarily interested in influenza virus entry into host cells and the role of the hemagglutinin glycoprotein (HA) in this process. The work has a strong focus on the structure-function relationships of HA with regard to its receptor binding and membrane fusion properties. The work combines protein structure analysis and molecular virology techniques to address specific questions on how influenza viruses attach to cells, deliver their genomes, assemble at the end of the replication cycle, and evolve to evade host immune responses and the action of antiviral drugs.

Mark Tompkins, Ph.D., Project 2 Co-Leader

Dr. Tompkins is co-project leader with Dr. Tripp at UGA. The Tompkins lab focuses on understanding the immune response to influenza virus infection and developing novel vaccines and treatments for use against human and avian influenza strains.

Ralph Tripp, Ph.D., Project 2 Leader (University of Georgia)

Dr. Tripp's research interests include understanding the mechanisms of immunity and disease pathogenesis associated with respiratory virus infection, and using this information to develop therapeutic protocols and vaccines that will confer long-term protective immunity. The Tripp laboratories study emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) of zoonotic origin, i.e. transmissible between humans and animals causing infection in both species. As EIDs impact human health, global security, and affect the food chain for an increasing world population, the Tripp laboratories focus on disease intervention strategies to effectively prevent and control EIDs using a discovery-to-control continuum. Toward aid this goal, the Tripp laboratory leverages the talents that exist in numerous disciplines in infectious disease training, virology, immunology, molecular biology and nanotechnology. Dr. Tripp will lead the UGA pilot project that focuses on identifying cellular genes required for influenza virus infection but not essential for the host cell.

Chinglai Yang, Ph.D., Surveillance Project Leader

Dr. Yang will establish partnerships with established animal influenza surveillance sites in Southeast Asia to conduct and strengthen surveillance of avian influenza in wild and domestic birds as well as poultry markets and at-risk humans.




		Home : Faculty Faculty and Administration Rafi Ahmed, Ph.D., Project 4 Leader Dr. Ahmed's lab is studying the immune responses to influenza infection and vaccination, focusing on B cell response and the production of neutralizing antibodies. The mechanism of viral persistence remains a major unresolved problem and the goal of our lab is to understand how viruses evade or suppress the immune response and persist in vivo. We are using two natural models of viral persistence: 1) Infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus to study the interaction between the virus and the immune system of its natural host and to define conditions that lead to viral clearance or persistence. 2) Infection of rabbits with Shope papillomavirus allows examination of the immune response during various stages of neoplasia, papilloma development, spontaneous regression, and progression to carcinoma. Our approach is to combine the disciplines of virology and immunology to attain a better understanding of virus vs. host interaction. John Altman, Ph.D., Project 4 Co-leader Dr Altman is co-project leader with Dr. Ahmed. The Altman lab is interested in defining the relationships between T cell phenotypes and effectors functions that can be assessed using short-term in vitro assays (that do not require amplification of T cell populations), as well as using adoptive transfer experiments in mouse models that permit in vivo testing of the efficacy of purified T cell subsets. Tanya Cassingham, Center Project Manager, Director of Programs Ms. Cassingham is responsible for daily operations of the Center, management of staff, tracking timeline and milestones progress, and overseeing the budgets. Richard W. Compans, Ph.D., Director of IPIRC A major focus of the Compans lab is to develop virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine antigens which are effective in eliciting protective immune responses against viral infection. A major focus is on developing safe and effective vaccines to prevent pandemic influenza. Other projects include developing vaccines for HIV-1 prevention, with emphasis on inducing broadly reactive neutralizing antibody responses to primary HIV-1 isolates to prevent infection at mucosal surfaces; developing novel approaches for vaccine delivery such as direct application to the skin, including self-administered microneedle patches for influenza vaccines; and investigating the functional activity of viral glycoproteins in mediating membrane fusion, which is involved in the entry of lipid-enveloped viruses into host cells. Richard Cummings, Ph.D., Project 1 collaborator Dr. Cumming's lab focuses on glycoconjugate structure/function/biosynthesis; cell adhesion involving lectins and glycoproteins in human inflammation, tumor metastasis and schistosomiasis. The Cummings laboratory is a Core Facility for the Consortium for Functional Glycomics, funded by the NIGMS/NIH. Dr. Cummings is studying the receptor binding of wild type and mutant influenza HA proteins. Vicki Hertzberg. Ph.D., Director of Data Management Dr. Hertzberg's collaborative interests include the analysis of a variety of studies of stroke: clinical trials, epidemiology, and genetics. She is currently involved in the WASID trail and the Coverdell Stroke Registry. She also collaborates on the design of genetic and epidemiologic studies of stroke. In addition to her work in stroke, she is the lead statistician for the ProTECT trial and the director of the data analysis center for the study, Genetic/Exposure Interaction for Chronic Beryllium Disease. Jeff Hogan, Ph.D., Project 2 collaborator Dr. Hogan is a collaborator on Project 2 at UGA. He is also working to develop antiviral therapies (i.e. siRNA therapeutics) against SARS CoV, influenza, West Nile, and orthopoxviruses. Joshy Jacob, Ph.D., Project 3 Leader Dr. Jacob is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Jacob studies the phenomenon known as "original antigenic sin". Humans previously exposed to influenza virus, upon infection with a novel influenza strain, produce antibodies directed primarily against the older viral strains at the expense of responses to novel protective antigenic determinants thus exacerbating the severity of current infection. This blind spot of the immune system and the redirection of responses to the "original antigen," but not to the current virus is well established but poorly understood. Douglas Lowery-North, M.D., Emory Pilot Project Leader Dr Lowery is lead investigator of a pilot research project entitled "Identification of Social Contacts in the Emergency Department (ISCED)," which studies transmission of influenza between ED patients and healthcare workers. Walter Orenstein, M.D., Associate Director of IPIRC Dr. Orenstein is the Director of the Emory Program for Vaccine Policy and Development, as well as the Associate Director of the Emory Vaccine Center. Dr. Orenstein served for 26 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where he led the National Immunization Program (NIP) dedicated to reducing vaccine-preventable disease burdens around the world. Dr. Orenstein has served as an Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service and as the CDC liaison member to the National Vaccine Advisory Committee for more than 14 years. As the Center's Associate Program Director for Operations Management and Initiatives, Dr. Orenstein will oversee the evaluation of scientific priorities, monitor the progress of current projects, evaluate the contribution of these projects to the achievement of Center goals, and facilitate the exploration of new avenues of research through the distribution of seed grant funds. Bali Pulendran, Ph.D., Project 4 collaborator Dr. Pulendran is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of the Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Pulendran's lab studies immune response to particular pathogens. Central to the immune system's decision-making process are dendritic cells, which command and orchestrate the immune system. Because the development of effective vaccines relies upon arousing the appropriate type of immune response, Dr. Pulendran aims to identify ways to stimulate dendritic cell production and activity. Ioanna Skountzou, M.D., Ph.D., Project 3 Co-Leader Dr. Skountzou is co-project leader with Dr. Jacob, focusing on studies of the phenomenon known as “original antigenic sin”. David Steinhauer, Ph.D., Project 1 Leader The Steinhauer laboratory is primarily interested in influenza virus entry into host cells and the role of the hemagglutinin glycoprotein (HA) in this process. The work has a strong focus on the structure-function relationships of HA with regard to its receptor binding and membrane fusion properties. The work combines protein structure analysis and molecular virology techniques to address specific questions on how influenza viruses attach to cells, deliver their genomes, assemble at the end of the replication cycle, and evolve to evade host immune responses and the action of antiviral drugs. Mark Tompkins, Ph.D., Project 2 Co-Leader Dr. Tompkins is co-project leader with Dr. Tripp at UGA. The Tompkins lab focuses on understanding the immune response to influenza virus infection and developing novel vaccines and treatments for use against human and avian influenza strains. Ralph Tripp, Ph.D., Project 2 Leader (University of Georgia) Dr. Tripp's research interests include understanding the mechanisms of immunity and disease pathogenesis associated with respiratory virus infection, and using this information to develop therapeutic protocols and vaccines that will confer long-term protective immunity. The Tripp laboratories study emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) of zoonotic origin, i.e. transmissible between humans and animals causing infection in both species. As EIDs impact human health, global security, and affect the food chain for an increasing world population, the Tripp laboratories focus on disease intervention strategies to effectively prevent and control EIDs using a discovery-to-control continuum. Toward aid this goal, the Tripp laboratory leverages the talents that exist in numerous disciplines in infectious disease training, virology, immunology, molecular biology and nanotechnology. Dr. Tripp will lead the UGA pilot project that focuses on identifying cellular genes required for influenza virus infection but not essential for the host cell. Chinglai Yang, Ph.D., Surveillance Project Leader Dr. Yang will establish partnerships with established animal influenza surveillance sites in Southeast Asia to conduct and strengthen surveillance of avian influenza in wild and domestic birds as well as poultry markets and at-risk humans.