Angela Erazo
Year started program: 2004
Program name: Molecular Virology And Microbiology
2002 - Bachelor of Science, Brooklyn College of CUNY

Following a research experience in a post-baccalaureate program, I was convinced I wanted to do research in microbiology but uncertain as to what specific field to study. During my search for a graduate program, the University of Pittsburgh stood out in its ranking in funding from NIH and the diverse research topics offered within the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program. The MVM program appealed to me as it encompasses labs studying a varied set of microbes, concentrating on immunological investigations, mechanism of virus assembly and host-pathogen interactions to name a few. My interview experience further reinforced that the University of Pittsburgh was a top choice for me. The university is very supportive of graduate students and fosters a highly collaborative environment. The city is beautiful, everyday interactions with people are pleasant, living is affordable, and the city offers a wide range of activities for entertainment. To me these are important components of a successful graduate student experience. Currently in my fifth year, I've had the opportunity to participate in the biomedical graduate student association, organizing the student-driven annual MVM symposium, and recently was a member of the INTBP admissions committee. In sum, I feel I've had a very fulfilling graduate student career at the University of Pittsburgh.

I study varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the causative agent of chickenpox and shingles. Our lab investigates regulatory proteins of VZV using molecular biology techniques. Specifically, my focus is on a VZV-encoded protein, ORF66 kinase, which is a multifunctional protein involved in establishing a favorable host cell environment for viral growth. My goal is to find viral and host cell targets of ORF66 kinase to further understand the functions of this kinase in VZV infection. ORF66 directly phosphorylates the major VZV transcriptional regulator, IE62, to regulate its nuclear import, and contributes to immunoevasion techniques such as downregulating MHC-I surface expression. Our research has lead to the finding that ORF66 is critical for efficient viral replication in corneal fibroblasts which may have implications for a reactivated form of infection, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, which can lead to blindness. These studies may contribute to the development of more effective VZV vaccines or antiviral therapies.

Amie J. Eisfeld, Michael B. Yee, Angela Erazo, Allison Abendroth, and Paul R. Kinchington. Downnregulation of Class I Major Histocompatibility Complex Surface Expression by Varicella-Zoster Virus Involves Open Reading Frame 66 Protein Kinase Dependent and Independent Mechanisms. J Virol. 2007 Sep;81(17):9034-49. Angela Erazo, Michael B. Yee, Nikolaus Osterrieder, and Paul R. Kinchington. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) open reading frame 66 protein kinase is required for efficient viral growth in primary human corneal stromal fibroblast cells. J Virol. 2008 Aug; 82 (15):7653-65. Shelley K. Cockrell, Minerva E. Sanchez, Angela Erazo and Fred L. Homa. Role of the UL25 protein in herpes simplex virus DNA encapsidation. J. Virol. 2009 Jan; 83(1):47-57

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