UCF’s James Earnest is leading two new research projects investigating the immune responses to Zika and dengue, two mosquito-borne viruses that are becoming more common in the U.S. Earnest is also studying the effectiveness of the combination of two existing dengue inoculations in reducing repeating infections.

The research focuses primarily on tracking changes in B cells: white blood cells that make antibodies. “It’s important that we understand what good and bad immune responses look like to these viruses,” Earnest said. “When we know those factors, then we can try to steer people in the right direction so that their antibodies will protect them from disease.”

• James Earnest