Brianna Close, PhD

Virology | Computational and Experimental Drug Discovery | Viral Entry | BSL-4 Research

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

About

My current thesis works involves employing computational and cheminformatic techniques to expedite identification of effective viral entry inhibitors of Lassa and Marburg viruses in BSL-4 labs.

Experience

  • Virology PhD Candidate at National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL)
    Sep 2019 - Present · 6 yrs 11 mos

    Trained in BSL3 and BSL4 containment labs, a virology PhD candidate with a strong passion for discovery of antivirals specific to emerging viruses and those that affect underdeveloped populations by employing computation and cheminformatic techniques.

  • Molecular Biology Research Co-Op at Visterra Inc.
    Jul 2018 - Jun 2019 · 1 yr

    Biology co-op working in virology and immunology. Currently developing a broadly neutralizing prophylactic influenza vaccine through the use of Fc engineering of monoclonal antibodies that target the conserved hemagglutinin stalk domain.

  • Northeastern University ()
    • Husky Ambassadors Tour Guide
      Jan 2016 - Jan 2019 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      On campus tour guide for prospective students and their parents. Participate in Accepted Students Day, Welcome Day, and other admissions departments events.

    • Lab Research Assistant
      Jan 2016 - Dec 2016 · 1 yr

      Lab Research Assistant in the lab of Kim Lewis for Antimicrobial Discovery, studying tolerance to antibiotics by persister cells, and uncultured bacteria. Assist in laboratory procedures and testing for current researchers.

  • Infectious Disease Research Co-Op at Moderna Therapeutics
    Jul 2017 - Dec 2017 · 6 mos

    Infectious disease research intern working in virology and immunology, with strong focuses on T cells and antigen presentation. Research included potential role of microRNA regulation in antigen presentation and T-cell responses in vitro by flow cytometry, effective targeting of epitopes E6 and E7 of HPV-16 and -18, as well as the effects of formulation of mRNA-based vaccines on antigen presentation.

  • Microbiology Research Intern at Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals
    Jul 2016 - Jun 2017 · 1 yr

    Fall cycle co-op as a Laboratory Research Assistant in microbiology as well as cell biology, primarily studying the efficacy of compounds in development on various infections and diseases, and the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.