Zachary Klaseمشاهده پروفایل
دانشیار
- HIV Research
- Molecular Virology
- Epigenetics
- +۴ مورد دیگر
Zachary Klase, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Physiology at Drexel University College of Medicine. He previously served as an Associate Professor and Interim Assistant Chair of Biological Sciences at the University of the Sciences. Education: PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University (2008) BS in Animal Biotechnology, Rutgers University, Cook College (2002) Research Focus: Dr. Klase’s lab investigates molecular neuropathogenesis of HIV-1, epigenetic regulation of transcription, and the role of microRNAs in viral diseases. Key areas include HIV latency mechanisms, benzodiazepine effects on HIV chromatin, and interactions between substance use disorders and HIV neuropathogenesis. Recent Research Trends: His work emphasizes how prescription drugs like benzodiazepines alter HIV latency and chromatin structure, as well as how opioids exacerbate HIV-associated neurodegeneration. The lab also explores CD8+ T-cell control of HIV and innovative approaches to cure HIV via latency reversal and CRISPR technology. Awards & Honors: USciences Founder’s Day Faculty Award of Merit (2019) USciences Million Dollar Grantee (2018) ICAAC Young Investigator Award (2011) Advising & Grants: Dr. Klase mentors several PhD and MS students (e.g., Angel Lin, Zachary Capriotti, Courtney Wallace) and leads projects funded by grants including the 2018 Million Dollar Grantee award. His lab collaborates on initiatives like exosome-based HIV studies and neuroHIV modeling using human brain tissue cultures. Labs/Teams: The Klase Lab is part of Drexel’s Pharmacology & Physiology Department, focusing on HIV transcription, epigenetics, and neurovirology. Current projects include benzodiazepine-driven chromatin changes, Tat protein neurotoxicity, and opioid-HIV interaction mechanisms.










