Research
Research Focus
Vaccines and Immunotherapies to Improve Global Health
Our group does research across a range of projects, including clinical trials of vaccines, antiviral therapies, and monoclonal antibodies as well as observational studies using genomic epidemiology.
HIV Vaccine and Immunotherapy Research
A vaccine to prevent HIV is still urgently needed. Our group is a member of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, and our specialty is the phase 1, first-in-human clinical trials of novel HIV vaccine concepts. We conduct our studies in people living with and without HIV, with the goal of improving all aspects of HIV treatment and prevention. We also study monoclonal antibodies that could be used for pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis or even therapy for people living with HIV.
CHARM Study
CHARM is a large, prospective observational study of respiratory virus epidemiology in the Greater Boston Area: CHARM Study Website. We have enrolled >1000 participants who undergo weekly symptom surveillance and collect nasal swabs to test for a panel of circulating respiratory viruses, though our current priority is studying RSV. We have also enrolled ~250 participants in an immunological sub-study to study immune responses to RSV infection and vaccination, as well as COVID-19 and influenza. For some participants, we invite them and their households into RSV transmission studies to do deep virologic analyses, including quantitative viral load, sequencing and live viral culture.
Vaccines for Respiratory Viruses
Our group has been involved with developing respiratory virus vaccines since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then we have conducted trials involving mRNA vaccines, viral-vectors and protein-based vaccines. And there is still a lot of work to be done in order to improve vaccines for respiratory viruses, like making "variant-proof" vaccines as well as improving the durability of immune responses. Our group is currently focused on expanding these vaccine studies to include special populations, like immunocompromised patients or people living with HIV.
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