VCOM View Vol 10 No 1

RESEARCH REVIEW

“Understanding of the natural reservoirs and genomic diversity of introductory vectors, such as ticks and mosquitos, becomes increasingly critical in the control of new emerging zoonoses and their outbreaks,” said Michalak. “VCOM, with its campuses, clinics, and international mission sites interfacing three major climate zones, is strategically positioned to become a leader in promoting next generation detection solutions, response capacity, and proactive research agendas addressing vector-borne pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential.” Ultimately, the impact of the research Michalak hopes to make in this new region will be much further-reaching than just the local area. “VCOM-Louisiana not only provides unique access to the Delta region,but also strategically aligns VCOM relative to our international sites in Central America,” he said. “Louisiana’s subtropical climate, biodiversity, and associated reservoirs of vector-borne diseases, such as mosquito-borne diseases, may serve as a training ground for a new generation of students with interests in Global Health.” It is also likely that COVID-19 will continue to have an impact on research priorities well into the future. Michalak aims to establish integrative genomics as a mainstay of One Health and Global Health initiatives and programs. “One of our new One Health projects is

dedicated to adaptive evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 genomes underlying the COVID-19 pandemic, with the focus on factors that affect viral host-range and virulence and changes to the virus that occur over time in circulation,” Michalak said. These research goals will require students and faculty alike to embrace a new mindset. “A global perspective to health, looking beyond our borders to what emerging pathogens and their vectors are circulating, taking a proactive approach to preparing for and reducing these biothreats, and exploring new technologies to this end,” Michalak explained. Overall, Michalak emphasized the need for the VCOM family and medical community to recognize the importance of healthy ecosystems. “Healthy ecosystems consist of healthy people, healthy animals and a healthy environment,” said Michalak, reciting a concept embraced by One Health. “We need new bio-inspired solutions to support healthy ecosystems,” he added. approaches to break down barriers between traditional disciplines has emerged as the most promising framework to achieve that goal. The future of research is bright at VCOM-Louisiana, with Michalak leading the charge to a better global future. ■ Michalak believes that using next generation integrative

Grant Awarded for Coronavirus Study L in Kang, PhD and colleagues from Virginia Tech were recently awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) EAGER grant. This project, Integrating Genotype, Phenotype, and Environment to Identify Biomarkers of Coronavirus Disease Severity and Transmission, will examine mouse hepatitis virus as a model for SARS-CoV-2, identify the biomarkers and investigate the severity and transmission of the virus by integrating genotype, phenotype and environment. The principal investigator is Dr. Weger-Lucarelli at Virginia Tech and Dr. Kang is an investigator on the project. The project period is for two years and the total award is $300,000. Dr. Kang has recently relocated from VCOM-Virginia to the new VCOM-Louisiana campus.

summer/fall 2020 | VCOM V iew M agazine 41