Faculty
Professor
Center of Enphasis in Infectious Diseases
Research interests
My research interests are in microbial infection, immunity, development of new vaccines, and molecular therapeutics for infectious diseases. My lab focuses on developing new generation vaccines and molecular therapies against respiratory pathogens such as influenza viruses and Streptococcus pneumonia, as well as agents important for biodefense such as Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), botulinum neurotoxins (botulism), and Francisella tularensis (tularemia), and Zika virus. Most notably, we have been using the following multiple technologies to develop next generation universal/cross-strain protective influenza vaccines: 1) use self-attenuated influenza virus as a new live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV); 2) design chimeric influenza antigens as universal influenza vaccines delivered by detoxified bacterial toxins; 3) use heterologous prime and booster immunization regimen to broader cross-strain protective immunity; 4) create modified influenza viruses as dual-use vaccines against influenza and other infectious diseases. Additionally, we have been studying non-antibiotic dependent, host-targeted molecular therapies against anthrax and influenza, using species-specific microRNA or host-specific, cell receptor-targeted RNA interference (RNAi) approaches. We also examine the relationship of the microbiome to host immunity, as well as the connection to oral and gastro-intestinal disorders including cancers. Furthermore, we are assessing the effect of current vaccination programs on epidemiological changes in respiratory pathogens (strain replacement and antigenic variation) and how people respond to infections or vaccinations at both cellular and molecular levels.
Education and academic positions
- Sichuan University, B.S., Biology (1985)
- Wuhan Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, M.S., Botany (1988)
- Tel Aviv University, Ph.D., Biochemistry (1998)
- Research Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY (2001-2004)
- Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY (2004-2010)
- Associate Professor and Professor, Center of Emphasis in Infectious Diseases, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health El Paso, El Paso, TX (2010-present)
Honors (fellowships, career development awards, endowments, etc.)
- Mary Kay Holding Corporation Research Fellowship, Dermatology Foundation, USA (2000)
- Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Commercialization Award, Texas Tech University System (2013)
- Careers in Immunology Fellowship, The American Association of Immunologists (2016)
Link to publications
Professor
Center of Enphasis in Infectious Diseases
Research interests
My laboratory focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the systemic immune responses in stroke and cerebral global ischemia; on the development of novel nanoparticle-based systems that integrate imaging and drug/gene delivery capabilities for glioma and for neuro-protection in stroke; and on new therapeutic approaches to to treat neuroAIDS by activation of macrophages/microglia . In the first project, systemic immune responses and its coupling with the central nervous system are investigated to study the mechanisms of immune modulation for stroke and cerebral global ischemia. The project involves investigation of peripheral and neuronal inflammatory signaling pathways (molecular and cellular) in brain injuries and evaluation of risk factors associated to stroke and cerebral global ischemia. We focus on the study of innate and adaptive immune responses that systemic immune signaling pathways contribute to neuronal injury and recovery. In the second project, we are developing targeted delivery of nanoparticles to treat glioma. The third project focuses on HIV-1 associated neuro-degeneration and macrophage/microglia activation to study the immunology, pathology, neurobiology, and macrophages/microglia-based targeting therapy.
Education and academic positions
- Weifang Medical University, M.D. (1982)
- Sun Yixian Medical University, Research fellow (1990)
- Bar-Ilan University, Postdoctoral Research Associate (2001)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Postdoctoral Research Associate (2005)
- Instructor and assistant professor of Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neurosciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE (2005-2010)
- Instructor, assistant professor, Associate Professor, and Vice-Chair of Department of Anatomy, Weifang Medical University, China (1990-2000)
- Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health El Paso, El Paso, TX (2010-present)
Honors (fellowships, career development awards, endowments, etc.)
- Diplomate, Internal Medicine
- Outstanding Award for Young Scientist from 1978-1998 Cohort, Shandong, China (1998)
- Advancement of Science and Technology Award (992071), Jinan, China (1999)
- Advancement of Science and Technology Award (00-2-46-6), Shandong, China (2000)
- Award “Kort 100” Postdoctoral Fellow, Bar-Ilan University Ramat Gan, Israel (2001)
- Recognition by NIH/NIDA “Cutting-edge Science in NeuroAIDS Research and Their Implications” (2009)
- Member, Recovery and Reinvestment (ARI-R2) Study section, NSF (2009)
- Member, Editorial Board ‐ Neurological Research (2009-present)
- Member, Editorial Board ‐ Translational Stroke Research (2010‐present)
- Member, Editorial Board ‐ J. Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology (2015-present)
- Member, Clinical Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumors (CNBT) Study Section, NIH (2016-present)
- NIH/UPMC-RELIEPH for Interstitial Cystitis, R01DK117383 (2018-2020)
Link to publications
Assistant Professor
Center of Emphasis in Infectious Diseases
Assistant Professor
Center of Emphasis in Infectious Diseases
Research interests
Our laboratory at Texas Tech Health El Paso focuses on discovering and developing innovative therapeutics to combat infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We work on developing new treatments to target harmful pathogens that survive, adapt, and resist existing drugs, with particular emphasis on oral infections (dental caries, candidiasis) and tuberculosis (TB). A key focus of our research is studying biofilms, which are protective layers formed by bacteria and fungi that make infections persistent and difficult to treat. These biofilms play a major role in driving drug resistance and chronic infections, especially in vulnerable populations including individuals with HIV, cancer, or diabetes.
To address these challenges, we leverage expertise in microbiology, immunology, chemistry, bioinformatics and structural biology, complemented by advanced multiomics approaches. To study the efficacy of therapeutics developed in our laboratory, we employ a combination of in vitro, in vivo, and in silico models, as well as advanced platforms such as organoids and organ-on-chip systems. These cutting- edge research approaches allow us to understand host-pathogen interactions, identify new drug targets, develop precision therapeutics and vaccines that can disrupt biofilms and overcome antimicrobial resistance.
Education
2017: Ph.D. (Microbiology), Bharathidasan University, India
2010: M.Sc. (Microbiology), Bharathidasan University, India
2008: B.Sc. (Microbiology), Bharathidasan University, India
2007: Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technician (DMLT), All India Institute of Medical
Technology, India
Professional Experience
2025 - present: Assistant Professor, Texas Tech Health El Paso, USA
2021- 2025: Sr. Research Scientist, Texas Tech Health El Paso, USA
2017- 2021: Postdoctoral Research Fellow (University of Texas at San Antonio, Kansas
State University, University of California Riverside, USA)
2009-2016: Senior Research Fellow, Bharathidasan University, India
2011-2014: Junior Research Fellow, Bharathidasan University, India
2009-2010: Student Project Fellow, Bharathidasan University, India
Honors (fellowships, career development awards, endowments, etc.)
2023: Received 1st prize (poster presentation) at 15th Annual Research Symposium and
Office of Research Meet and Greet, El Paso, Texas, April 18-20
2019-2020: K-INBRE –Postdoctoral grant (USD $38,000) from NIGMS, National Institute
of Health; Role: Principal Investigator
2016: Received 2nd Prize (oral presentation), International Conference on Recent Trends
in Biosciences,” Alagappa University, India
2014 -2016: Senior Research Fellowship from Council for Scientific and Industrial
research, Government of India
2013: International travel grant award from Department of Biotechnology, Government
of India
2013: International travel grant award from Indian Council of Medical Research, Government
of India
2012: Travel grant from University Grants Commission, Government of India sponsored
workshop “Centre for Excellence in Flow Cytometry,” Madurai Kamarajar University,
India
2011- 2014: Junior Research Fellowship from Department of Biotechnology, Government
of India
2010: Received 1st prize (oral presentation) for the best student project award from
Tamilnadu State Council for Science and Technology, Tamilnadu State Government, India
2009: Student project grant award from Tamilnadu State Council for Science and Technology,
Tamilnadu State Government, India
2005- 2008: Selected for receiving book loan from the library of Rock City Welfare
Association (RWA), Tiruchirappalli (only one student will be selected from each college)
Link to publications