Aron Lukacher

Aron Lukacher is a Professor in the Department of Cell and Biological Systems and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Penn State University. He holds affiliations with the Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), Penn State Cancer Institute, and One Health Microbiome Center, focusing on polyomavirus pathogenesis and immune responses.

• Research Focus: Polyomavirus infections, T cell immunity, immune evasion mechanisms, and organ-specific viral pathogenesis in the central nervous system and kidneys.
• Grants: Multiple NIH-funded projects including those from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases spanning 2012-2026.

His recent work explores chemokine receptor interactions (e.g., CXCR4/CXCR6) in neuroinflammation, viral persistence in kidneys, and antiviral drug development (e.g., Brincidofovir). Articles highlight both basic virology and translational applications in clinical science.

• Labs/Teams: Collaborations with the Penn State Cancer Institute's Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis program and One Health Microbiome Center.