Education
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Ph.D. Molecular Virology, University of Maryland 1994
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M.S. Virology, University of Maryland 1989
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B.V.Sc. Veterinary Medicine, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, India 1986
Credentials
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Diplomate American College of Veterinary Microbiologists 1993
Scholarly Interests
The long-term goal of my laboratory is to understand the molecular basis of pathogenesis of Marek’s disease virus (MDV), a potent oncogenic herpesvirus that causes T-cell tumors in chickens. MDV codes for a protein (Meq), which shares significant resemblance with the Jun/Fos family of transcriptional factors. We have shown that this gene plays a critical role in latency and transformation of T-lymphocytes. Understanding the basic mechanism of viral pathogenesis will aid in the development of improved vaccine. We are also interested in other important poultry disease like avian influenza.