Valerie Cortez

Department: Molecular and Cellular Biology
Year Entered: 2008
Prior Degrees: BS, Texas A&M University, 2007, Magna Cum Laude

Research Interests:
I'm currently investigating immune deficits in cases of HIV-1 superinfection, specifically concentrating on neutralizing antibody breadth and how this may correlate with viral load, HIV diversity, and disease progression. I am also interested in the immune interactions between mother and child during pregnancy with the hopes to better understand mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

I chose to enter the Molecular Medicine Training Program because I want to be more exposed to the clinical side of health research, as I believe it will make me a better scientist. Since my field of interest is infectious disease, I spend most of my time studying human samples and I feel this program will play an integral role in my graduate training.

Publications:
Johnson JD, Cortez V, Kennedy SL, Foley TE, Hanson H, and Fleshner M. “Role of central β-adrenergic receptors in regulating proinflammatory cytokine responses to a peripheral bacterial challenge.” Brain, Behavior and Immunity 22.7 (2008): 1078-1086.

Honors and Achievements:
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention, 2009