Edward Barker

Edward Barker is a Professor in the Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity at Rush Medical College, Rush University. His research focuses on understanding how HIV evades innate immune responses, particularly through interactions with natural killer (NK) cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois and has been funded by NIH grants including R01 AI161816 and R01 AI118983. His lab investigates HIV's impact on gut immunity and viral reservoirs. Current projects include leveraging adaptive NK cell transfer to target HIV reservoirs.

Education: PhD, University of Illinois.

Research Interests: NK cells, HIV pathogenesis, innate immunity, gut microbiota dysbiosis, viral reservoirs, and cytokine signaling in HIV infection. His work bridges basic immunology with translational research to combat HIV/AIDS.

Grants & Funding: Current NIH R01 AI161816 ('Harnessing adaptive NK cell transfer to deplete viral reservoirs'). Completed NIH R01 AI118983 ('Switch from homeostatic to inflammatory cytokines by NK/ILC in HIV-infected gut').

Lab Team: William Howell (PhD Candidate). Collaborations focus on HIV immunology and antiviral strategies.

Labs/Teams: Laboratory of Edward Barker, PhD, specializing in HIV-immune system interactions with emphasis on gut mucosal immunity.