Valia Mihaylova

Valia Mihaylova is a Research Associate 1 in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, affiliated with the Foxman Lab. She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the Institute of Molecular Biology (1998). Her research focuses on understanding viral interactions and immune responses, particularly investigating whether prior infections with common cold viruses may confer partial protection against subsequent infections like SARS-CoV-2. This work has implications for pandemic preparedness and antiviral strategies.

Her key contributions include studies published in 2020–2021 examining the potential cross-protective effects of rhinovirus (common cold) infections on coronavirus susceptibility. These findings suggest that prior exposure to certain viruses may modulate immune responses to reduce infection risks, offering insights for future vaccine and therapeutic development.

No formal advisees or scientific awards are listed in her profile. She contributes to translational research bridging virology, immunology, and public health.