Maria P. Lemos, PhD, MPH

Research focus includes studying the barrier and immune mechanisms that contribute to protection after circumcision, vaccine or passive immunizations at mucosal sites of encounter with HIV.

Research Interests

Studying immune responses at mucosal surfaces, where the human body encounters most pathogens, focusing on the intestinal, vaginal and foreskin mucosa; studying the factors that can contribute to HIV transmission and protection from virus infection.

Studies include characterization of cell targets of HIV infection and their location in mucosal surfaces; as well as some of the modifications to epithelial surfaces that can contribute to infection/protection with HIV. Recent studies aim to improve identification of men and women at risk of HIV, as well as the role of broadly neutralizing antibodies in mediating protection against HIV infection.

Also participation in studies aiming to understand the mucosal effects of vaccination or adoptive transfer of antibodies; and studies in the US, Peru and South Africa aiming to develop prevention approaches applicable throughout the world in different populations at risk of HIV infection. Developing methods for improving clinical collections of these samples and the operational management of mucosal samples for their optimized use in the laboratory.