Other ongoing research includes projects focusing on HIV vaccine immunology. We utilize a range of model systems, including cell culture, animal models (non-human primate and humanized mouse) and clinical specimens from HIV vaccine trials, to understand how recombinant viral vectors (derived from adenovirus, poxvirus or herpes virus) may impact the properties of AIDS vaccine-elicited, vector- and insert-specific immune responses and how this further affects the outcomes of HIV vaccination in terms of protection vs. HIV infection risk.

A third research direction in the laboratory aims to establish long-term cultured, antigen-specific primary CD4 T cells as a physiologically relevant cellular model for HIV latency. The goals of these studies are to better understand the immunobiology of HIV infection and to generate key knowledge that advances development of effective HIV vaccine and/or cure strategy. Research in our group represents collaborative efforts involving UTMB and outside collaborators including MHRP, HVTN and other groups.