Lisa Gralinski, PhD

Dr. Lisa Gralinski is an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She earned her PhD in microbiology and immunology from the University of Michigan in 2008, from the laboratory of Dr. Katherine Spindler. She then came to the laboratory of Dr. Ralph Baric to continue her studies of viral pathogenesis. 

Research Interests

Dr. Gralinski’s research explores the interaction of highly pathogenic human coronaviruses with the host immune system. In particular, she is interested in how these interactions can lead to the resolution of virus infection or alternatively lead to virus-induced, immune-mediated disease. Dr. Gralinski also has worked with the Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse resource — in conjunction with the UNC Genetics Department and Systems Genetics Core — to examine the role of host genetic variation in contributing to the severity of respiratory virus infection. Through these studies, she hopes to discover targets for antiviral and immune modulatory drugs that will lessen the burden of respiratory virus disease.

Education

PhD, Microbiology / Immunology, University of Michigan, 2008

BA, Biology, Haverford College, 2002