Dr. Norris conducts research in immunology and infectious diseases with emphasis on vaccine and immunotherapeutic development. Her focus is on infections associated with immunocompromised individuals, age-related host immunity, inflammatory diseases and on the pathogenesis of HIV-related co-comorbidities. Dr. Norris’ team has established pre-clinical models of Pneumocystis pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus infection and complex cardiopulmonary diseases including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Dr. Norris’ laboratory is using these models to understand the pathogenesis of these diseases and test preventive vaccines and treatments.
Lab Focus
Fungal Vaccine Development and Pre-clinical testing
Immune-mediated mechanisms of COPD and Asthma
Characterization of chronic inflammation and microbial colonization associated with COPD and asthma
Role of lung microbiome in pulmonary diseases
Role of chronic immune activation, immune senescence, aging, and inflammation in COPD, asthma and HIV-related pulmonary diseases
Immunopathogenesis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Development of a novel, non-human primate (NHP) model of HIV-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Interrogation of inflammatory/immune mediated effectors that contribute to the development of PAH
Evaluation of efficacy of novel therapeutics for treatment of established PAH and preventive therapies for HIV-associated PAH.
Development and immunologic evaluation of infant, adult and aged pre-clinical models of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection
Comparative analysis of age-related pulmonary immune responses to RSV infection
Evaluation of immune therapies for treatment of infant RSV infection in pre-clinical models
Evaluation of the effects of pregnancy on maternal vaccination and passive protection infants
Development and testing of vaccination strategies for use in aged individuals for the prevention of RSV infection
Development and immunologic evaluation of infant, adult and aged pre-clinical models of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection
Evaluation and translational studies of novel insulin-sensitizing therapeutics in NHP models of metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes
Role of chronic immune activation, immune senescence, aging, and inflammation in obesity and Type 2 diabetes in NHP models.
Role of microbiome in progression from metabolic syndrome to Type 2 diabetes in NHP models
