Gillian M. Schiralli Lester, Ph.D.

About Me

Faculty Appointments

Research Assistant Professor - Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology (SMD)

Credentials

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 2009 - 2015

Education

PhD | Pennsylvania State University, State College. Immunology of Infectious Disease. 2009

BS | Niagara University. Biology. 2003

Awards

Young Investigator Award. 2014

Young Investigator Award. 2011

Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship. 2010 - 2011

Graduate Student Travel Award. 2008

Graduate Fellowship Award. 2003 - 2004

Research

In general, I am interested in the regulation of gene expression and how that relates to disease progression. My previous studies have centered on investigating cell signaling mechanisms which regulate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) replication with the goal of identifying novel factors which c...

In general, I am interested in the regulation of gene expression and how that relates to disease progression. My previous studies have centered on investigating cell signaling mechanisms which regulate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) replication with the goal of identifying novel factors which could then be targeted for therapeutic development. I now turn my focus onto developing gene delivery strategies to treat acute lung injury. I am particularly interested in dissecting cellular pathways which are required for cytoplasmic trafficking fo plasmid DNA into the nucleus, the site of efficient transcription. Understanding the minimal signals and cell machinery that are required for DNA movement will provide the needed background for developing novel routes for targeted gene delivery in specific cell types.