Jason Whitmire

Jason Whitmire, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Genetics and Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. His research focuses on viral immunology, T cell differentiation, and the genetic basis of immune responses. Whitmire leads a lab investigating mechanisms of antiviral T cell responses and pathogenic outcomes in infections caused by viruses like LCMV and hepatitis A. Key projects include studying histone demethylases' role in immune defense, genetic determinants of severe viral pathology, and obesity's impact on T cell-mediated pathogenesis. He collaborates with institutions like the Stan Lemon lab on developing animal models for human hepatotropic viruses. Whitmire actively mentors postdoctoral researchers and has published extensively in high-impact journals.

Research Interests: Viral immunology, memory T cell differentiation, genetics of immune responses, host-pathogen interactions, obesity-related immunopathology, and hepatitis A virus pathogenesis. His lab uses mouse models to study mechanisms of immune defense and disease progression. Whitmire's work bridges molecular immunology, genetics, and epigenetics to understand how the immune system responds to viral infections and how genetic factors influence disease outcomes.

Recent achievements include discoveries on IL-21-producing CD4+ T cells' role in neuropathology, the role of UTX histone demethylase in antiviral immunity, and the development of murine models for hepatitis A. His lab also explores drug efficacy against hepatitis A in vivo. Whitmire's research has been supported by grants and collaborations, including a postdoc position focused on T cell differentiation in viral infections.

Laboratory and Team: The Whitmire Lab operates within the Department of Genetics, leveraging UNC's resources in biocontainment facilities, genomics cores, and flow cytometry. Collaborations with other labs enhance studies on viral immunology and pathogenesis. Current opportunities include postdoc positions in T cell biology and viral infection models.