Neuroimmune response to brain infections Neuroimmune responses are both essential for protection and induce brain damage. Our lab is interested in understanding the mechanisms that mediate these effects in an effort to develop interventions that shift the balance from damage to repair, particularly addressing chronic brain disease ensuing infections. Neural Stem cell response to neuroinflammation Neural stem cells (NSCs) are undifferentiated cells in the brain that is believed to be a cellular source for new neuron formation. Our lab investigates the mechanisms by which NSCs interact with the inflammatory milieu generated during viral encephalitis. Pathogenesis of zoonotic infections We study porcine T cell responses to swine influenza viruses to understand its impact on viral fitness and pathogenesis