Namita Rout

Dr. Namita Rout is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Tulane University. Her research focuses on understanding the interplay between chronic viral infections (e.g., HIV/SIV), immune dysregulation, and aging. Key areas include:

• Gamma-delta T cell dysfunction in mucosal immunity during HIV/SIV infection
• Impact of aging on inflammation and immune senescence (inflammaging)
• TB co-infection mechanisms and mycobacterial lipid antigen responses
• CAR-T cell therapies targeting HIV reservoirs

Her work uses nonhuman primate models to investigate viral pathogenesis, mucosal barrier integrity, and translational immunotherapies. Recent studies highlight the role of inflammasome pathways and gut dysbiosis in chronic disease progression. Dr. Rout collaborates extensively on projects involving:

• SIV/ART-induced gut inflammation
• NKT cell immunomodulation
• Frailty biomarkers in aging populations