Louise Moncla

Dr. Louise Moncla is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Her laboratory investigates RNA virus emergence, evolution, and transmission dynamics, with particular focus on avian influenza viruses. The Moncla Lab employs cutting-edge genomic epidemiology and computational modeling approaches to study how viruses accumulate mutations enabling cross-species transmission.

Research focuses include:

• Reconstruction of adaptive mutation pathways in avian influenza
• Global transmission dynamics of HPAI viruses
• Development of public surveillance tools via Nextstrain platforms
• Viral phylodynamics across host species barriers

Her work has been recognized through the Pew Biomedical Scholars award (2024). The lab maintains several public resources including real-time tracking platforms for H5Nx and H3Nx influenza strains, facilitating open science and collaboration with public health agencies.