Robert Abbott

Robert Abbott is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, specializing in infectious and immunological health. His NIH-funded research program focuses on germinal center B cell biology, vaccine development for HIV and SARS-CoV-2, and metabolic regulation of immune responses.

Education includes a Ph.D. in Biology from Northeastern University (2016), where he also earned B.S. degrees in Behavioral Neuroscience and Cardiopulmonary and Exercise Science, and an M.S. in Cardiopulmonary and Exercise Science.

Research examines:

• B cell responses to complex vaccine antigens
• Germinal center microenvironment biophysics
• Hypoxia-adenosinergic regulation of immunity
• Memory B cell development
• Antibody maturation against viral pathogens

Active NIH grants include:

• R01AI184768: Circularization of RNA for durable vaccine responses (PI, 2025-2030)
• DP2AI154410: Germinal center microenvironment biophysics (PI, 2021-2026)
• R00AI145762: Memory B cell landscape to complex antigens (PI, 2021-2023)

Publications demonstrate expertise in molecular immunology with recent focus on COVID-19 immune profiling, HIV vaccine design, and innovative mRNA vaccine platforms.