Dr. Kerry Empey
Our lab studies how age and pregnancy shape immune responses to pulmonary viral infections and vaccines to develop novel, targeted vaccine strategies, and delivery systems.
Projects
Flexible intranasal RSV immunization strategy for enhanced protection in early childhood
The goal of this project is to develop an innovative and adaptable vaccine platform that can be tailored to the unique needs of each individual. By enabling flexible modification of adjuvants, antigens, and mucoadhesive components, this platform is designed to optimize immune protection across diverse ages and immune profiles. Ultimately, this approach aims to move beyond “one-size-fits-all” vaccination by personalizing immune stimulation to maximize both efficacy and safety—particularly in populations most vulnerable to infection, such as the very young, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
Tonsil organoids as a translational tool for testing mucosal vaccine efficacy and immune profiling
Intranasal vaccination offers a needleless strategy to prevent viral pediatric pulmonary infections, but more research is needed to understand mechanism and safety of vaccine-mediated mucosal immunity in children. Lymph node-like immune tissue in the nasal mucosa are a primary vaccine target, but are underdeveloped in young mouse models, so a human model is needed.
Age-specific immunity to RSV: Mechanisms and implications
This project investigates how age shapes the body’s immune response to respiratory viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influences the effectiveness and safety of vaccines. Aging and immune maturation profoundly affect how the immune system recognizes, responds to, and remembers viral infections, yet current vaccines often fail to account for these biological differences. By uncovering the mechanisms that drive age-dependent antiviral immunity, we aim to identify critical pathways that can be targeted to improve vaccine responsiveness. Ultimately, our goal is to inform the design of personalized, age-specific vaccination strategies that provide durable protection and reduce the burden of respiratory infections across the lifespan—from infancy through older adulthood.
Targeting immune pathways to prevent viral-exacerbated allergic asthma
This project investigates how viral infections worsen allergic asthma by activating specific immune pathways that drive inflammation in the lungs. By identifying key molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in virus-induced asthma exacerbations, this research aims to pinpoint novel therapeutic targets. Ultimately, the goal is to develop immune-based strategies to prevent or reduce asthma flare-ups triggered by respiratory viral infections.
Dissecting immunological mechanisms underpinning safety and efficacy of maternal RSV vaccination
Maternal immunization represents a powerful strategy to protect both mothers and their newborns during the critical early months of life, when infants are most vulnerable to severe RSV infection. However, the biological interactions between maternal antibodies, the developing fetal immune system, and the infant’s subsequent immune responses remain poorly understood. By dissecting these mechanisms, this research aims to identify the key determinants that drive effective and safe maternal immune protection. The ultimate goal is to guide the design of next-generation maternal vaccines that not only prevent RSV-related disease in infants but also establish a foundation for lifelong respiratory health—reducing global morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burden associated with early-life viral infections.
Viral impact on pseudomonas biofilm formation in cystic fibrosis airways
This project investigates how viral infections promote Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation in the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), a major driver of chronic infection and lung decline. Respiratory viruses are known to worsen CF lung disease, yet their role in enhancing bacterial persistence remains poorly understood. By defining the molecular and immune pathways through which viruses alter the airway environment to favor Pseudomonas colonization, this work aims to identify new therapeutic targets. Ultimately, these insights could lead to strategies that prevent exacerbations, slow disease progression, and improve lung function and quality of life for people with CF.
