Biography
- Division:
- Division of Physiological and Pathological Sciences – DPPS
- Review Branch:
- Immunology and Infectious Diseases A – IIDA
- Study Section:
- Cellular and Molecular Immunology - A – CMIA
Dr. Velasco Cimica earned his Ph.D. in biology at the University of Göttingen, Germany, where he studied gene expression regulation in liver regeneration. He completed his post-doctoral training in the U.S. studying virology, immunology, and pharmacology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and at Stony Brook University. His research focused on viral innate immune evasion, cytokines signaling, and signal transduction. As an adjunct assistant professor, he taught biology at the Manhattan College. He then joined the private sector working in vaccine development at TechnoVax, ATCC, and Novavax. He investigated vaccines, therapeutics, and antivirals for emerging viral infections such as arboviruses (Zika virus, Powassan virus and dengue virus) and respiratory viruses (coronavirus, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus). He tested novel adjuvants for improving vaccine immunization and eliciting a mucosal protection. Dr. Cimica served as a reviewer and editor for multiple international scientific journals.
