Kelly Gorres

Dr. Kelly Gorres is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She specializes in biochemistry and virology with a focus on reactivation mechanisms of the Epstein-Barr virus. Her research explores antiviral drug development, including the use of mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics to inhibit viral lytic cycles. She teaches courses in biochemistry and chemistry for nurse anesthesia, integrating her research expertise into her teaching.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship: Yale University
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry (2009), University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Delta Certificate in Research, Teaching, and Learning (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• B.A. in Chemistry (2003), University of Minnesota-Morris

Research Interests: Dr. Gorres investigates viral reactivation pathways, particularly for herpesviruses like EBV and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. Her work focuses on identifying small molecules—including fatty acids, HDAC inhibitors, and repurposed psychiatric drugs—that can suppress lytic cycles. This research bridges virology and pharmacology, with applications in antiviral therapy development.

Teaching & Advising: She instructs courses such as Fundamental Biochemistry and Advanced Biochemistry Lab, emphasizing hands-on learning. While no specific advisees are listed, her courses suggest involvement in mentoring students in biochemistry and virology research.

Publications: Her work spans studies on EBV reactivation mechanisms, cytomegalovirus inhibition, and enzyme biochemistry. Recent publications (2019–2016) highlight her focus on leveraging existing medications for antiviral purposes and understanding viral activation pathways.