Paula Traktman

Paula Traktman, PhD, holds dual roles as the Hirschmann Endowed Professor of Microbiology & Immunology and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Her research focuses on vaccinia virus biology and VRK protein kinases, integrating virology, molecular genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry to study viral replication, morphogenesis, and host interactions.

Education: PhD in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1981).

Research Interests:

• Vaccinia Virus Replication: Investigates membrane-delimited cytoplasmic replication compartments, roles of viral proteins (H5, UDG, A20, Pol, D5, I3), and encapsidation mechanisms.
• Virion Morphogenesis: Studies membrane biogenesis from the endoplasmic reticulum, roles of F10 kinase, and protein/lipid interactions.
• VRK1 Kinase: Explores its role in cell cycle regulation, cancer progression, and fertility, particularly male infertility in VRK1-deficient mice.

Leadership: As Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, she oversees graduate education and training programs.