Robin R. Ingalls

Robin R. Ingalls, MD, is a Professor of Medicine and Virology, Immunology & Microbiology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. She serves as Medical Director of the Special Pathogens Unit (SPU) at the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL), a maximum containment facility designated for highly communicable diseases. Her affiliations include memberships in the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, Genome Science Institute, and Graduate Medical Sciences.

Education:

• M.D., Harvard Medical School
• B.A., College of the Holy Cross (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa)

Research Focus: Dr. Ingalls investigates innate immune responses to pathogens at mucosal surfaces, emphasizing reproductive health and emerging infections. Her laboratory studies Toll-like receptors, NLRs, and complement systems in host defense against Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and respiratory pathogens. Current projects explore the impact of infections on placental immunity, preterm birth, and sex-specific immune responses, alongside developing models for pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

Publication Trends: Her recent articles (2018–2023) focus on reproductive immunology, emerging pathogens (SARS-CoV-2), and diagnostics. Earlier work (1999–2017) established foundational insights into Toll-like receptor mechanisms, bacterial immune evasion, and chronic inflammation. Research consistently integrates molecular immunology with clinical applications in infectious diseases.

Awards & Honors:

• Tri-Alpha National Honor Society (2022)
• Young Investigator Award, International Endotoxin Society (1996)
• Maxwell Finland Young Investigator Award (1995)
• Magna Cum Laude (1985)
• Phi Beta Kappa (1984)

Mentoring & Grants: She mentors graduate students (e.g., Chelsey Skeete, Erika Smith-Mahoney) and has led NIH-funded projects including R01 AI101088 (Chlamydia-induced preterm birth) and R21 AI178913 (vaginal mucosal immunity). Current grants focus on Zika virus, hormone therapy impacts, and emerging pathogen containment.

Laboratory & Teams: Directs a lab studying mucosal immunity using in vitro and murine models. The SPU integrates clinical care with biocontainment research, supporting Boston Medical Center’s response to highly communicable diseases.