Lisa Gralinski, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina

Lisa Gralinski is an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology of the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She earned her PhD in microbiology and immunology from the University of Michigan in 2008, researching mouse adenovirus in the laboratory of Katherine Spindler. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina with Ralph Baric, continuing her studies of viral pathogenesis with a focus on SARS-CoV. Gralinski’s laboratory explores the interaction of highly pathogenic human coronaviruses with the host immune system. In particular, they use mouse models of disease to investigate how virus-host interactions can lead to either infection resolution or to virus-induced immune-mediated disease. Through these studies, Gralinski hopes to discover targets for antiviral and immune modulatory drugs that will lessen the burden of respiratory virus disease. Additionally, the Gralinski lab works towards pan-coronavirus antibodies, antivirals, and host-targeting therapeutics.