Don Sodora, PhD
Don Sodora is a professor at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Research Institute. The Sodora Laboratory investigates the ability of HIV to be transmitted from mothers to their children, as well as to understand how an HIV infection leads to immune dysfunction and AIDS. Many of our studies utilize the SIV virus in rhesus macaques which is highly analogous to HIV infection. Our studies assessing HIV transmission have the long-term goal of developing an HIV vaccine and involve the assessment of the earliest events that occur after infection at a mucosal site (in collaboration with Noah Sather’s laboratory). Our immune dysfunction studies focus on HIV/SIV immunologic changes in the liver as well as unraveling the factors that result in rapid progression to AIDS. The long-term goal of these studies is to identify immune therapeutic approaches to inhibit HIV-associated disease progression.
My first memory of doing an ‘experiment’ was when I was ten years old taking notes and drawing pictures of the ants that lived on the wall of my home in Northern New Jersey. For undergraduate studies I attended Rutgers University, receiving a bachelor's degree in microbiology. From there I went to the University of Pennsylvania for my PhD which focused on evaluating structure of a Herpes Simplex Virus envelope protein. My postdoctoral research at Stanford University and the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York City focused on genetic assessment of changes in HIV, as well as related animal viruses that are similar (FIV and SIV). My faculty positions have been at University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center and the Center for Infectious Disease Research prior to joining University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Throughout my career I have trained several graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and that training the next generation of scientists is an important part of my job. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, traveling, walking in nature and taking photographs.
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Hazik Asif, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
As a young adult, the mysteries of how our bodies would respond to different pathophysiology fascinated me. I wanted to stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before me, and have my research provide further insight for those who come after me. I obtained a BS in biology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Afterwards, I attended the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine for a PhD in cellular and molecular pharmacology and physiology, while simultaneously earning my MPH at the University of Southern California. When I am not pursuing my research interests, I am spending time with my amazing wife, playing basketball, and traveling and visiting family.
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Lauren Bennetts
Research Technician I
When I was 7, I read a series of books about an adventurous mouse known as Geronimo Stilton. In one story, an epidemic causing blue pimples hit Mouse Island; the mice called upon the most famous researcher to find a cure. I remember asking my mom if we could make cures in the kitchen… To embark on my dream of becoming a researcher, I attend the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I received a BS in psychological and brain sciences. This ignited my passion for neuroscience and immunology. Outside of the lab I enjoy running, hiking, and playing trivia.
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Nina Derby, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
As a kid, I got a lot of stomach viruses that would keep me in bed. I would dream about my body as various parts of the military, defending me from illness, and I wondered about how the body makes us healthy again when we get sick. After obtaining a BA in biochemistry from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, I moved to Seattle for a PhD in pathobiology at the University of Washington. There I studied immunology and what really makes up the body’s army. My research interests are in the innate host response to inflammation in tissues, especially as that caused by HIV infection. I am passionate about the impact of chronic inflammation on the liver. When I am not working, I am chasing my three wild and amazing children, cooking, and growing vegetables in my garden.
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Brooke Johnson
Research Scientist I
I attended Western Washington University where I received a BS in cell and molecular biology. Some of my research interests are spatial immunology, host-pathogen interactions, and women’s health. Outside the lab I enjoy taking my dog on adventures, consuming as much coffee as possible, and learning new things.
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Cris Luevano-Santos
Research Scientist I
One of my favorite book series I read as a child were the Franny K. Stein: Mad Scientist books about a 7-year-old girl with an incredible mind who weirded out those around her with her strange behavior, intelligence, and experiments. It made me wonder if I too could become a mad scientist and create a living, breathing monster with just a few chemicals, electricity, and my school lunch. My enthusiasm for science continued throughout my life and I graduated with a BS in biology from Saint Martin’s University in 2017. I’m currently working on getting into medical school to pursue my dream of becoming a physician. While I have yet to define my research interests, I do have a growing desire in becoming a physician-scientist. Outside of work, I spend my time volunteering with non-profits and educating myself on social justice issues. My interests include baking, making art, hiking with my dog, and spending time with family.