Rachel Graham

Rachel Graham, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Gillings School of Global Public Health. She holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Vanderbilt University (2007) and a BS in Biology from the University of Kentucky (2001). Her research focuses on molecular virology of coronaviruses, including replication mechanisms, vaccine design, and host adaptation. She contributed to pivotal studies on SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and bat coronaviruses, emphasizing antiviral development and viral pathogenesis.

Key research areas include coronavirus recombination, vaccine attenuation strategies, and genomic analysis of emerging pathogens. Dr. Graham has co-authored high-impact studies on broad-spectrum antivirals like remdesivir and molnupiravir, and her work has informed public health responses to outbreaks. She serves on the UNC Institutional Biosafety Committee. Notably, she was recognized in Clarivate's 2022-2024 Highly Cited Researchers Lists for contributions to virology and epidemiology.

Her articles highlight advancements in antiviral therapies, vaccine platforms, and genetic determinants of viral susceptibility. Recent work explores host genetics' role in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and comparative studies between mice and humans. Awards include multiple citations for impactful research on emerging coronaviruses.