Projects

One major focus of the Harris Research Program is on studies of arboviral disease in humans, including:

1. Antibody and B cell responses and correlates of protection

2. Systems immunology profiling of the innate response

3. Viral evolution, fitness, and intra-host diversity

4. Viral pathogenesis: the role of non-structural 1 (NS1) protein in vascular leak

Professor Harris’ international work focuses on laboratory-based and epidemiological studies of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and influenza in endemic Latin American countries, particularly in Nicaragua, where she has been working closely with our Nicaraguan colleagues for over 30 years. Long-term collaborations include clinical, biological, and immunological studies of severe disease through a 20-year pediatric hospital-based study; a 15-year ongoing pediatric cohort study of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and influenza transmission in Managua; and a cluster randomized controlled trial of evidence-based community-derived interventions to prevent and control arboviral diseases.