SUMMARY
Iana H. Haralambieva, M.D., Ph.D., studies the development of and the factors influencing innate and adaptive immune responses with the goal of understanding interindividual variability in immune responses after vaccination, as well as adverse events. In particular, her research interests are focused on viral vaccines such as influenza, measles, mumps, rubella and smallpox.
Dr. Haralambieva's research involves the application of systems biology and vaccinomics approaches and high-dimensional technologies, such as transcriptomics, DNA methylation, proteomics and genome-wide genotyping, to better understand how immune responses develop and are sustained after vaccination.
Focus areas
- Factors and mechanisms underlying immune response variations after viral vaccinations. This includes host genetic variation, robust immune response or nonresponse.
- Immune responses to vaccinations. Factors and mechanisms underlying immune response variations after viral vaccinations.
- Host-pathogen interactions defining and modulating the development of innate, humoral and cellular immunity after vaccination.
- Immune responses to vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine, in older and elderly individuals.
- Vaccinomics and systems biology. Vaccine studies to better understand, predict and modulate host response after vaccination.
Significance to patient care
The goal of Dr. Haralambieva's research is to better understand and provide new insights into the development and maintenance of immune response after vaccination. The knowledge gained can be applied to develop novel or improved vaccines and vaccination approaches, and provide solutions to overcome vaccine nonresponse and adverse events.
Professional highlights
- Outstanding research associate award, Mayo Clinic Department of Medicine, 2012
- George McCracken Infectious Disease Fellow grant recipient, American Society for Microbiology, 2010
- Wyeth fellow grant recipient, American Society for Microbiology, 2009