Dr. Verma is a formally trained virologist and immunologist with expertise in the study of RNA virus/host interactions and innate immunity. She received her Ph.D. in India in Life Sciences with a specific focus on endocrine biochemistry. She was later trained in reproductive immunology at the National Institute of Immunology, a premier institute in New Delhi, and subsequently in antiviral immunity.
Dr. Verma's research employs both in vitro 2D and 3D organoid cultures as well as in vivo mouse models to elucidate mechanisms that inhibit or enhance protective immunity to viruses, including their transmigration across various blood–tissue barriers. She leverages these insights to identify novel targets for immunotherapies. Her laboratory focuses on understanding why and how newly emerging RNA viruses—such as West Nile, Zika, Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and Mpox viruses—infect the lungs and immune-privileged organs like the brain and testes, and how these infections contribute to tissue injury and disease outcomes.
In this seminar, Dr. Verma will discuss her organoid-based studies of Zika, SARS, and Mpox, with additional insights from SARS mouse models.
Use of human airway and testicular organoids in modeling and understanding emerging viral infections and pathogenesis
Institutional Seminar
Event Information
| Date and Time | 2026/4/6 2pm-3pm |
|---|---|
| Venue | AUDITORIUM |
| Speaker | Saguna Verma |
| Affiliation/Position | Professor and Graduate Co-Chair, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Manoa・Professor and Graduate Co-Chair |
| Country | U.S.A |
| Title | Use of human airway and testicular organoids in modeling and understanding emerging viral infections and pathogenesis |
| Organizer | ◎ISHII Ken（Division of Vaccine Science） 〇SATO Kei（Division of Systems Virology） |