Milka Koupenova

Dr. Milka Koupenova is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School, with affiliations in the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She holds roles in Immunology and Microbiology, Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, and Translational Science.

Education:

• B.S. Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles
• Ph.D. Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine

Research Focus: Dr. Koupenova's lab investigates platelet contributions to immune responses during viral infections and their cardiovascular implications. Key areas include viral pathogenesis, thrombosis mechanisms, and immune-thrombotic interactions.

Publications: Over 35 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, influenza virus interactions with platelets, and platelet-driven immune responses. Major themes include viral-induced thrombosis, platelet biology in inflammation, and translational thrombosis models.

Grants & Funding: NIH R01 (NHLBI) and institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award grants support her research.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Koupenova Lab at UMass Chan, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to thromboinflammation and viral immunity. Current lab members include PhD candidates Heather Learnard and Anthony Sciaudone, and research associate Heather Corkrey.