Melissa Jones

Melissa Jones is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Cell Science at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on understanding viral-bacterial interactions, particularly how norovirus and other pathogens exploit bacterial extracellular vesicles and host-microbiome dynamics to facilitate infection. She investigates mechanisms of pathogenesis, immune modulation, and antiviral strategies leveraging bacterial-derived vesicles.

Dr. Jones' work bridges microbiology, virology, and immunology, with a focus on translational applications such as vaccine development and infection control. Her studies employ advanced molecular techniques to dissect the roles of bioactive lipids, carbohydrate interactions, and host immune responses in infectious disease contexts.

Recent research highlights include characterizing how bacterial extracellular vesicles inhibit viral replication, modulate immune responses, and shape microbiome composition. Her findings have implications for understanding chronic infections in immunocompromised patients and improving food safety measures against norovirus outbreaks.

• Contact: mmk@ufl.edu | Room 1148, Microbiology Building 981
• Key Areas: Norovirus pathogenesis, bacterial-viral crosstalk, extracellular vesicle biology, host-microbiome interactions