Dr. Wald’s current research centers on the epidemiology, natural history, and immunobiology of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in immunocompetent and immunocompromised humans. The goals of the studies are to characterize the biology and epidemiology of HSV acquisition and transmission; to investigate the immunopathology of mucosal and ganglionic HSV infection; to develop strategies for prevention of HSV transmission from women to neonates at birth and between sexual partners; and to understand the biology of interactions between HIV and HSV-2. Additional studies focus the role of chronic viral infections, especially CMV, in immunosenescence in healthy and immunocompromised people. Several ongoing studies and clinical trials address vaccine development for HSV-2.
Her main collaborators include David Koelle, Christine Johnston, Joshua Schiffer, Jia Zhu, Michael Boeckh and Larry Corey. She also collaborates with Corey Casper on studies of epidemiology and pathobiology of HHV-8 infection at Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala, Uganda. Other interests include vaccine studies (influenza, HSV, CMV) and study design. All studies offer opportunities for fellows.
Watch Injecting hope: HSV vaccine for functional cure and prevention
See Dr. Wald’s publications on PubMed
Appointments and Affiliations
Director
University of Washington Virology Research Clinic
Head
University of Washington Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
Member
Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division (VIDD), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Professor
University of Washington, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy & Infectious Disease*
University of Washington, School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology
University of Washington, School of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology
*Tenured
Degrees
MPH, University of Washington, Epidemiology, 1994
MD, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, Medicine, 1985
BA, Wesleyan University, Comparative Religion, 1979
Memberships
American College of Physician and Infectious Diseases Society of America