Research Interest:
We know that sometimes the diagnosis of people potentially infected with the Valley fever fungus is difficult to confirm. Measuring patient antibodies is one prime method to determine if someone is infected. Unfortunately, the current serological assays are not as sensitive or specific to determine the infection status. We are working to identify protein targets of the immune system in people and animals infected with the Valley fever fungus. Identifying these new proteins will improve the diagnostic assays to allow for quicker potential classification of initial diagnosis of disease. In addition, these assays could also improve the tracking of patients to help determine disease progression.