"Variant-Specific Determinants of Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Long-Term Sequelae in Mice"

Lila Patterson is a PhD candidate in Biological Sciences at Georgia State University in the laboratory of Dr. Mukesh Kumar. She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in microbiology from Clemson University, where she conducted research on the development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 research, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Her current research focuses on the characterization of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, with particular emphasis on variant-specific disease outcomes, immune dysregulation, and mechanisms underlying post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. Her work integrates in vivo models of viral infection to define host-pathogen interactions and to evaluate novel antiviral therapeutics and next-generation vaccine strategies.