Dr. Andrew Pekosz
Professor and Vice Chair
Andy received his BS in Biochemistry from Rutgers University before going on to complete his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania working on bunyaviruses. After postdoctoral work at Northwestern University, he joined the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor. He moved to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2007. Andy has been doing research into respiratory viruses such as influenza, hantavirus, enterovirus D68 and emerging respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and he still finds time to do some experiments in the lab. Andy enjoys watching (and sometimes playing) soccer (go Gunners!), tasting craft beers and working on a native plant garden.
Elgin Akin
PhD Candidate (5th year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Elgin graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2019 with a B.S. in Microbiology. He then went on to study at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in the Malaria Biologics Branch investigating P. falciparum genetic diversity and vaccine efficacy as an ORISE fellow. In the Pekosz Lab, Elgin is investigating Influenza B host-pathogen interactions in primary cell lines and contributes to the Hopkins influenza surveillance efforts. His thesis work intersects traditional molecular virology and high throughput sequencing approaches to identify casual links in viral growth kinetics and the innate host response in human nasal epithelial cells. Outside the lab, he enjoys hiking, biking and exploring Baltimore’s vibrant food scene.
Annie Werner
PhD student (4th year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Annie graduated from Cornell University in 2019 with a B.S. in Microbiology and Infectious Disease Biology. There, she worked in the Aristilde lab focusing on metabolomics and metabolic bypasses in soil bacteria in response to nutrient deprivation. Before joining Hopkins, she worked at the NIH’s Vaccine Research Center under Dr. Barney Graham & Dr. Bob Seder, evaluating humoral responses to MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates, and evaluating efficacy of monoclonal antibody prophylactics for malaria in preclinical models. In the Pekosz lab, Annie looks at the function and expression of the IAV neuraminidase and neuraminidase-specific inhibitory antibodies. When not in lab, Annie enjoys searching for & listening to music, going for long walks with her dog, and baking.
Yee Vue
PhD Student (3rd year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Yee graduated from Augsburg University in 2020 with a B.S. in Biological Science. As a Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program Student in Dr. Kareem Mohni’s Lab at the Mayo Clinic, Yee worked on Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1), studying the role of host factors in DNA repair of HSV1. Currently, Yee is studying Influenza A hemagglutinin binding and exploring the role of temperature on binding affinity and avidity. Yee is Hmong American, who was born and raised in Minnesota. Outside of the lab, you can find Yee at the lake fishing for a 10lber largemouth bass.
Haley Heine
ScM Student (2nd year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Haley graduated from Macalester College in 2023 with honors in Biology and a minor in Geology. Her undergrad thesis focused on delimiting cryptic species of tiny arachnids in New Zealand using novel machine learning methods in Dr. Sarah Boyer’s lab. In the Pekosz lab, Haley is currently studying how different SARS-Cov-2 variants use vesicle trafficking pathways to replicate in cells. Outside of lab, she enjoys going to the movies, looking for fossils, and finding cool bugs.
Matthew Pinsley
ScM Student (2nd year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Matt graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2024 with a B.S. in Microbiology. During his undergraduate studies in the Reed Lab, he studied effector proteins secreted by Coxiella burnetii which promote intracellular growth within parasitophorous vacuoles. In the Pekosz lab, he is studying the growth and isolation of influenza viruses on different cell lines, and works with the influenza surveillance team in monitoring and characterizing circulating strains of influenza in Baltimore. Outside of the lab, he enjoys listening to and playing music, hanging with his cat, and rock climbing!
Khaleel Plunkett
ScM Student (2nd year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Khaleel graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2021 with a B.S. in Biology. He previously worked under the Markham Lab at JHBSPH in data analysis and miRNA. In the Pekosz Lab, Khaleel is currently working on researching EVD68 (enterovirus D68) fitness. Outside of the lab, Khaleel enjoys reading, watching movies, and playing piano.
Corrine Pierce
ScM Student (1st year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Guangyu Zhao
ScM Student (1st year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Guangyu graduated from Tianjin University in 2023 with a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Science. She previously worked in a lab studying drug efficacy using H1N1-infected mouse models. In the Pekosz Lab, Guangyu is currently involved in influenza virus isolation and characterization, as well as H1N1 surveillance. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing badminton, running, watching sports, and playing video games.
Kaden O’Keefe
ScM Student (1st year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Kaden graduated from Gonzaga University in 2025 with a B.S. in Biology, and a concentration in Research, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Cellular Biology. During his undergrad, Kaden had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Christy Andrade. In the Andrade lab, Kaden worked on his thesis investigating Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Coxiella, and Francisella in Dermacentor ticks collected through community-based surveillance efforts in Eastern Washington. Broadly, Kaden is interested in integrating laboratory research with community engagement to address infectious disease risks. Kaden is now a member of the Pekosz Lab, where he is investigating the effects of temperature on Enterovirus D68 (EVD68) replication and the characterization of the 2025 isolates. Outside of research, Kaden enjoys spending time with his dogs, reading, and video games.
Lynn Olson Schwendiman
ScM Student (1st year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Lynn is from Idaho Falls, Idaho and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with Honors from The University of Arizona in 2025. She also graduated with a minor in Spanish and Music. During her undergraduate study, Lynn worked in wastewater renewal systems, specifically, she analyzed the efficacy of renewal systems in blocking microorganisms from produced potable water. Additionally, Lynn researched H5N1 and H3N2 during her Research Internship at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, under Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre. Currently, Lynn is researching Influenza A (H3N2) in the Pekosz Lab, specifically she performs surveillance and characterization of H3N2 isolates. She has goals of working in viral therapeutics and emerging pathogen research. Outside of lab, Lynn likes to make jewelry and loves all things music.
Youxiang Lu
ScM Student (1st year, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
Youxiang graduated from Zhejiang University in 2025 with a B.S. in Biomedical Science. She previously worked in a laboratory studying the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease. In the Pekosz Lab, her current research consists of Influenza A (H3N2) isolation and characterization. Outside the lab, she enjoys crocheting and knitting, reading, and watching movies.
Yanet Salmeron
Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) Scholar
Yanet graduated from University Honors at UC Riverside in 2022 with a B.S in Biology and Spanish minor. After graduating, she worked at a veterinary diagnostic laboratory for two years in the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics departments. Currently, she is a part of the Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at Johns Hopkins. In the Pekosz lab, Yanet's current research includes Influenza A (H3N2) isolation and viral characterization. Yanet plans to join a PhD program in the following year to conduct research on host-pathogen interactions. Her ultimate career goal is to become a research scientist at the CDC or WHO. Outside of the lab, Yanet enjoys visiting new cafés, amusement parks, swimming, and attending anime conventions!
The Pekosz Lab 