Lynda Coughlan

Lynda Coughlan serves as Associate Professor in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment at the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD). Her research focuses on engineering next-generation adenoviral vector vaccines against respiratory pathogens including influenza, RSV, and coronaviruses, emphasizing broad cross-protection through innovative immunogen design and molecular adjuvanting.

Education:

• BSc Microbiology, University College Cork, Ireland (2003)
• MS Virology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK (2005)
• PhD Viral Gene Therapy, Barts Cancer Institute, London, UK (2009)
• Postdoctoral Training, University of Glasgow, UK (2009-2012)
• Postdoctoral Training, University of Oxford, UK (2012-2017)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA (2017-2018)
• Research Track Faculty, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA (2018-2020)

Research Focus: The Coughlan laboratory pioneers low-seroprevalence adenoviral vectors as plug-and-play platforms for universal vaccines, investigating extracellular vesicles for immunogenicity enhancement, therapeutic antibody production, and correlates of protection through comparative animal model studies. Current work spans recombinant protein immunogens, genetic adjuvanting, and vector optimization against emerging viral threats.

Publication Trends: Analysis of her 13 most recent publications (2018-2024) reveals escalating emphasis on universal influenza vaccines using chimeric hemagglutinin constructs, single-dose adenoviral regimens, and extracellular vesicle-mediated immunogenicity. Post-2020 work increasingly addresses pandemic preparedness for coronaviruses and avian influenza, with molecular adjuvanting and cross-reactive immunity as unifying themes across respiratory pathogens.

Scientific Awards:

• Graduate Women in Science Fellowship (2017)
• British Medical Association HC Roscoe Prize (2016)
• British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy Achievement Award (2016)
• Nuffield Department of Medicine Public Engagement Prize (2015)
• British Society for Immunology Communicating Immunology Grant (2015)

Grants and Service: As Principal Investigator on NIH/NIAID R01AI148369 for universal influenza vaccine development and Co-PI on NIAID CIVIC contracts, she leads translational research while serving as ad-hoc reviewer for NIAID study sections. Her editorial roles include MDPI Vaccines Special Issue Editor (2020), complemented by board service for the British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy (2010-2017) and Society for General Microbiology Equality initiatives.

Laboratory Structure: The Coughlan laboratory operates within the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, maintaining collaborative networks for preclinical-to-clinical vaccine advancement with emphasis on one-health approaches to zoonotic spillover prevention and pandemic response.