Rebecca Dutch

Rebecca Dutch, PhD is a Professor and Vice Dean for Research at the University of Kentucky, affiliated with the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry and serving as an MD/PhD Program Mentor. With a PhD in Biochemistry from Stanford University (1994) and prior training at Cambridge University (MPhil, 1987) and Michigan State University (BS, 1986), her research focuses on viral glycoprotein synthesis, membrane fusion mechanisms, and antiviral target identification.

• Key Research Areas: Paramyxovirus entry mechanisms, Hendra/Nipah virus pathogenesis, RSV fusion dynamics
• Notable Discoveries: Cathepsin L's role in Nipah virus fusion activation
• Publications Trends: Recent work spans structural biology of fusion proteins, proteolytic processing, and drug repurposing strategies

Her laboratory investigates fundamental cellular processes through viral protein studies, with applications in pandemic preparedness, vaccine development, and therapeutic intervention. While no specific scientific awards are mentioned in this dataset, her publications reflect extensive contributions to virology and molecular biology.