Valeria, a doctoral candidate in Pharmacology, has been awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F31) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. The fellowship, which began August 1, 2026, will support her doctoral research in the lab of Dr. Bimal N. Desai.
Before coming to UVA, Valeria earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida.
We asked Valeria to tell us about her research and hopes for the future:
Tell us about your research:
Research in the Desai lab focuses on how ion channels and signaling pathways affect immune cell function. My research investigates how mitochondrial calcium signaling regulates alveolar macrophage inflammatory and antimicrobial functions during bacterial pneumonia. Alveolar macrophages are the resident immune cells of the lung and serve as the first line of defense against inhaled pathogens while maintaining tissue homeostasis. Despite their critical role in pulmonary immunity, the intracellular signaling pathways that regulate alveolar macrophage function during infection remain incompletely understood. I seek to define the molecular mechanisms that enable these cells to balance effective pathogen clearance with controlled inflammation. By advancing our understanding of alveolar macrophage biology, this work may ultimately help identify new therapeutic strategies for infectious lung diseases.
What drives or motivates your scientific pursuits?
My scientific interests have always centered on host-pathogen interactions with the hope of better understanding these relationships in order to advance medicine. During my undergraduate studies, I was really immersed in the pathogen side of infectious disease, particularly with bacterial pathogenesis. However, in graduate school I’ve become captivated by our immune cells and how they handle infection and stress. They’re critical in maintaining our health, yet there’s still so much to learn about them! That curiosity continues to drive my research and my interest in immunology.
What are your future goals?
I hope to pursue a career in biomedical research with a continued focus on immunology. I’m particularly interested in a career in academia or as a scientist at a government research institute, where I can continue advancing immunology research while also contributing to public outreach and science communication. Ultimately, I hope to combine my interests in research and outreach to help advance our understanding of human health while making science more accessible.