Brien Lab
Photo Credit: Paradigm
James D. Brien, PhD
James is an Assistant Professor in the Molecular Microbiology & Immunology Department at Saint Louis University. He received his B.A. and B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Rochester in New York. He initiated his viral immunology studies in the laboratories of Dr. Raymond Welsh and Dr. Eva Szomolanyi-Tsuda at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Furthering his education, he completed his doctoral studies in the laboratory of Dr. Janko Nikolich-Zugich on the role of aging on the immune system at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. He completed his Postdoctoral studies in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Diamond at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout his academic career, James has focused on the pathogen-host interaction, with a focus on emerging viral infectious diseases. His laboratory utilizes clinical virus isolates to understand the role of immunity in the control of viral growth and the development of disease. His laboratory focuses on the mechanisms of polyclonal antibody response to control viral infection and select for novel viral variants, and how this affects disease outcome. His expertise in these areas is highlighted in his many publications featured in journals such as PLOS Pathogens, Nature Communications, Frontiers in Neuroscience, and Vaccines, among others.
Mariah Hassert
Mariah studies the cellular immune response to emerging viral pathogens. She is working to understand the impact of flavivirus T cell cross-reactivity on the response to virus-specific and cross-reactive epitopes, and the implications of this on the outcomes of infection for both the virus and host in animal models of heterologous infection. This has included studies defining the immune correlates of protection for multiple viruses, rational vaccine design, the development of small animal models of infection, and studies in viral evolution.
When outside of the lab Mariah enjoys playing volleyball, kickboxing, hiking, playing with my dog, and cooking.
Click here to see Mariah’s Publications
Email: mariah.hassert@slu.edu | Social
Alexandria M. Dickson
Alex is a second year graduate student predominately studying SARS-CoV-2 and its effects on the immune system. She graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2018 with a B.Sc. in Chemistry, specializing in Biochemistry. My research interests include studying various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in mice, specifically the immunogenicity and T cell responses to the vaccines, constructing new vaccines using different combinations of the structural protein sequences. I am also interested in studying the potential protective mechanisms of the immune system when infected with other coronaviruses prior to a challenge with SARS-CoV-2 in mice to determine the generation of antibodies and memory T cells that may confer immunity to a lethal challenge with SARS-CoV-2.
In my free time I enjoy reading, running, rock climbing, hiking, film, digital photography, true crime podcasts and documentaries, and watching The Office on repeat.
Click Here to see Alex’s Publications
Email: alexandria.dickson@slu.edu
Tara L. Steffen
Tara Steffen is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Brien lab at Saint Louis University School of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. Tara’s research interests include the role of cytokines in the humoral response to viruses and the modulation of vaccine immunogenicity. Furthermore, she is passionate about science communication and the importance of public engagement. Tara received her B.S. in Biology in 2018 from Bethel University in Tennessee. In her free time, Tara enjoys rock climbing, playing with her dog, and spending time outdoors.
Click Here to see Tara’s Publications
Email: tara.steffen@slu.edu | Twitter: @tara_lynn_s
Madi S. Feldman
Madi is an Undergraduate Research Assistant working on her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Saint Louis University. She joined the Brien Lab in December of 2019 to assist Mariah Hassert with her studies. Currently studying the surface expression of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD on S. cerevisiae yeast, she also assists the lab with technical tasks such as equipment maintenance, lab organization, automated robot protocols, and website development. When outside of the lab, Madi enjoys drawing, code-breaking, traveling and tending to her myriad of pets and plants.
Click Here to see Madi’s Publications
Email: madi.feldman@slu.eu