Nichole Orr-Burks

Nichole Orr-Burks is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research focuses on vaccine development, antiviral drug discovery, and advanced biotechnologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 and RNA interference (RNAi). She specializes in viral vector-based vaccines, host-targeted antiviral strategies, and translational research for respiratory viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

Her work encompasses molecular epidemiology of zoonotic viruses, drug repositioning efforts for influenza inhibition, and optimization of mRNA delivery systems. Notable projects include the development of inhalable mRNA vaccines and gene-edited cell lines for rotavirus vaccines. She has contributed to understanding host gene dependencies for viral replication, leveraging CRISPR screening and miRNA modulation.

Publications highlight her expertise in viral vector efficacy, antiviral pharmacology, and innovative delivery platforms. Her research bridges basic science and clinical applications, aiming to address global health challenges through novel vaccine and antiviral strategies.