Tracy Fischer

Tracy Fischer, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Tulane University, affiliated with the Tulane Center for Aging and Tulane Brain Institute. Her research focuses on neuroinflammation in HIV and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, particularly exploring how chronic systemic inflammation impacts the brain. She has extensively studied mechanisms of microglial dysfunction and viral CNS invasion using non-human primate models. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, her lab investigated neurological complications in infected primates, revealing critical insights into neuroinflammation and neuronal injury.

• Education:
  • B.M. in Vocal Performance, Ohio Northern University
  • M.M. in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, Rider University
  • PhD in Biology, Temple University

Her research spans HIV neuropathogenesis, SIV infection models, and novel virus-host interactions. Key contributions include identifying persistent neuroinflammation in HIV patients without active CNS infection and defining SARS-CoV-2 neuropathology in primates. Awards include the 2022 Spirit of Tulane Award.

Recent work explores age-associated neurological complications of COVID-19 and long-COVID mechanisms using primate models. Her lab also investigates therapeutic targets for neuroinflammation and viral reservoirs in the brain.

• Scientific Awards:
  • 2022 Spirit of Tulane Award

Publications span over 35 peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on neuroimmunology, virology, and translational models of infectious diseases. Her work bridges basic science and clinical implications for treating neurodegenerative and viral CNS disorders.