The research interest of our group is to develop translational disease intervention strategies for important human viruses and emerging infectious diseases of zoonotic origin.  Our BSL2, BSL3 and BSL3Ag+ laboratories develop platform enabling technologies in pathogen biosensing using nanotechnology-based approaches, antiviral drugs using small molecule and RNAi-based drugs, and animal and human vaccines using state-of-the-art technologies with our in-house GMP vaccine facility.  In parallel, we investigate the mechanisms of immunity and disease pathogenesis associated with infection to better understand the conceptual and functional differences between innate and adaptive immune responses that provide the foundation necessary to facilitate vaccine and antiviral therapeutic protocols. The laboratories leverage the talents of academic, government and industry partners to promote "bench-to-bedside" vaccines and therapeutics. More on Dr. Tripp's research >

To understand the dynamics of host response to infection that will provide new strategies for resolving disease through the development of cutting edge treatments or vaccines. These studies will facilitate training of new scientists and scientists with diverse backgrounds who will be able to communicate their findings to industry, the public, and the academic community, to help make Georgia the preeminent center for vaccine research and development.

The fundamental goals of the laboratory are to facilitate disease intervention strategies that control or prevent important human viruses and emerging infectious diseases of zoonotic origin that pose significant health risks to human and/or animal hosts.  The specific aims of the lab are to: 1) Develop a discovery-to-control continuum for the development and utilization of new and improved therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines against these classes of pathogens. 2) Facilitate the interaction and collaboration of investigators and industry working on related diseases allowing the cross-fertilization of ideas and multi-university approaches. 3) Develop national and international collaborations that allow scientific exchanges and leveraging of talents. 4) Promote the funding of these research efforts through governmental support, and develop industrial support for projects of commercial interest and/or the commercialization of products of research conducted in the lab.

The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) has proven that investment in new technologies and support of cutting-edge research programs enables development of world-class research facilities. This foresight by the GRA, and the complementary research interests of the faculty at the University of Georgia, have created an unparalleled opportunity for global application of innovative disease intervention strategies targeting both animal and human pathogens thereby providing me with great incentive to join the growing initiatives of the Eminent Scholars program.