Erika Wissinger

Biography

Erika completed her first degree in microbiology in her native Pennsylvania. She then undertook a PhD degree in the laboratory of Thomas Braciale at the University of Virginia, where she was awarded a Presidential Fellowship for the duration of her studies. Erika’s thesis work examined the migration and differentiation of memory CD4 T cells during respiratory syncytial virus RSV infection. Key novel findings included the identification of an immunodominant MHC Class II epitope within the RSV attachment G protein, to which both Th1 and Th2 memory T cells are directed, and the elucidation of the kinetics of memory CD4 T cell activation and trafficking through lymph nodes and lungs during the recall response to viral infection.After completing her PhD at the end of 2006, Erika immigrated to England to join the research group of Professor Tracy Hussell at Imperial College London as a Research Associate. Erika completed her first degree in microbiology in her native Pennsylvania. She then undertook a PhD degree in the laboratory of Thomas Braciale at the University of Virginia, where she was awarded a Presidential Fellowship for the duration of her studies. Erika’s thesis work examined the migration and differentiation of memory CD4 T cells during respiratory syncytial virus RSV infection. Key novel findings included the identification of an immunodominant MHC Class II epitope within the RSV attachment G protein, to which both Th1 and Th2 memory T cells are directed, and the elucidation of the kinetics of memory CD4 T cell activation and trafficking through lymph nodes and lungs during the recall response to viral infection.After completing her PhD at the end of 2006, Erika immigrated to England to join the research group of Professor Tracy Hussell at Imperial College London as a Research Associate.

Research Interest

Immunology, Cell differentiation, migration,