Dr. Parent's Research Laboratory

Research Interests

Yersinia pestis, a facultative intracellular gram-negative bacillus, is the causative agent of plague.  Recent vaccine trials, using a Y.  pestis specific protein-subunit in nonhuman primates, resulted in the generation high antibody titers however, vaccination failed to protect against a lethal pneumonic infection.  Given that the current vaccine generates robust humoral immunity yet does not protect against pneumonic infection, we hypothesized that cell-mediated immunity is required in addition to humoral immunity for complete protection.  Toward that end, my lab is focusing on identifying and understanding those aspects of the immune response needed to survive a lethal pneumonic infection.  Using mouse models, different vaccination regimens and attenuated Y. pestis our goal is to understand the underlying mechanisms of a protective immune response directed against Y. pestis in order to produce a more efficacious vaccine. 

Research Opportunities

My laboratory currently has openings for a Masters and Ph.D. student.   Also, I am looking for motivated undergraduate students interested in a research experience.  Please contact Dr. Parent for additional information.