Sam Ailsworth

Keywords: Zika, Dengue, antibody dependent enhancement, vaccine, virus

I previously worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator/Lab Technician in the Platts-Mills and Wilson labs at the University of Virginia. In this position I studied the epidemiology and immunology of alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a red meat allergy acquired through bites from the Lone Star tick. While our primary research focus was AGS, I also studied immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.

As an aspiring physician scientist, I would like to leverage insights from my clinical work and research to better understand and treat diseases. My specific interests lie in understanding human immune responses to viral antigens and allergens, with the long term goal of translating this knowledge into the development of novel immunotherapeutics.

In my free time I enjoy playing guitar in bands around the city. As a music lover, I can often be found catching a live show at one of the excellent music venues in the area. To take a break from the work of medical and graduate school, I also enjoy biking in the Bronx, as well as hiking and fishing in the surrounding region.