Amali Samarasinghe
Credentials: MS, PhD, ATSF
Position title: Associate Professor
Email: amali.samarasinghe@wisc.edu
Phone: 608-262-3446
Address:
Clinical Sciences Center, K4/911
600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792
Education
PhD: North Dakota State University
Other: (MS – California State University, Northridge)
Research Summary
Mucosal immunology associated with fungal allergic asthma.
Pulmonary host defense to influenza virus infection.
Host-pathogen responses during synergistic viral and bacterial infections.
Research Detail
Immune responses to respiratory infections are often complicated in individuals with underlying chronic diseases. Our research investigates host-pathogen interactions in the lungs, including the impact of the lung microbiome, during allergic asthma.
(1) Eosinophils in Host Defense: We explore the role of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell traditionally associated with allergic reactions, in antiviral defense. Our previous work demonstrates that eosinophils play a crucial role in modulating immune responses during influenza A virus infections, providing new insights into their function beyond allergy-related conditions. Currently, we are expanding these studies to include pneumococcal co-infections, aiming to better understand how eosinophils regulate mucosal immunity in the context of synergistic infections.
(2) Inflammation and Lung Health: A key focus of our research is understanding the balance between protective and harmful inflammation in the lungs. Using complex models, including a model of sickle cell anemia, we study how different immune cells contribute to lung inflammation and repair during pathogen exposure and how this affects lung tissue integrity. Our work has important implications for developing treatments for both acute infections and chronic lung diseases.
Publications