Professor Dr. Justin Pollara

Biography

Dr. Justin Pollara is a member of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute and serves as the Associate Director of the Duke Center for Human Systems Immunology and the Duke Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Developmental Core. He obtained his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University and completed his postdoctoral training under Dr. Guido Ferrari. Joining the faculty of the Duke Department of Surgery in 2016, Dr. Pollara's research mainly focuses on the interactions between innate and adaptive immunity, particularly in understanding the role of non-neutralizing antibodies in limiting HIV-1 disease progression and preventing infection. His lab has contributed to the understanding of how specific immune response components can reduce the risk of vertical transmission of HIV-1 and human cytomegalovirus. The Pollara Lab characterizes the phenotype and functionality of antibody-interacting innate immune cells and explores the genetic variations that affect vaccine responsiveness and immune competence. Additionally, with a strong collaborative approach, the lab has broadened its research scope to infectious diseases and is actively investigating inflammation, antibodies, innate immune cells, and T cell populations that impact organ transplantation.

Research Interests

Experience

Courses