Kerry Lavender

Kerry Lavender is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on developing and utilizing the TKO-BLT humanized mouse model to study viral immunology, particularly in HIV-1 infection and hemorrhagic fever viruses like Ebola and Lassa Fever. She has contributed to advancements in understanding interferon-alpha subtype functions and improving preclinical models for therapeutic evaluation.

Education:

• B.Sc., University of Toronto
• Ph.D., University of Alberta
• Postdoctoral Research, University of Oxford (CHAVI consortium)
• Intramural Research, NIAID/NIH

Her lab's work centers on creating a durable humanized mouse model (TKO-BLT) that supports long-term HIV-1 studies, immune response analysis, and therapeutic testing while overcoming graft versus host disease limitations. Current projects investigate interferon-alpha subtypes' dual roles in HIV-1 control/pathogenesis and collaborate on mosquito-borne viral encephalitis research.

Key publication trends highlight advancements in humanized mouse engineering, interferon biology, and viral pathogenesis. The TKO-BLT model enables studies on HIV-1-specific immunity, GVHD resistance, and viral therapeutic evaluation across multiple pathogens.

Scientific Recognition:

• Faculty of 1000 selection for her 2013 Blood publication

Kerry collaborates with institutions like the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at NIH. Her research aims to refine humanized mouse models for vaccine trials, addressing B cell compartment deficiencies in existing models. She maintains ongoing studies on hemorrhagic fever viruses and interferon-mediated immunopathogenesis.