The UK Strain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Rasmussen tells us that the B.1.1.7 strain, better known as the \u201cUK variant\u201d, is worrisome. However, travel bans aren’t an effective response to the new COVID-19 variant<\/a>. The new strain was detected first in the UK, but that is likely because the UK is doing more genomic surveillance than most countries. They found it because they were looking, but it could have originated elsewhere. Dr. Rasmussen explains \u201ctravel bans are only really effective when you can guarantee that you would not be exporting the virus from one place to another\u201d. Since we don\u2019t know for sure where the variant first-evolved, or where it has spread to, there is simply no way to design an effective travel ban. We also discuss:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n We continue to examine communications lessons that can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Rasmussen tells us that scientists and media tend to make one of two mistakes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both approaches create gaps in understanding and acceptance of our message. To mitigate these issues, Dr. Rasmussen tells us to think about three key things whenever we\u2019re communicating science to the public:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re dealing with a triple threat when it comes to the vaccine. First, we have our current distribution problems. There are vaccines available and they are being administered much more slowly than we\u2019d like. Second, there are known supply challenges that could worsen if\/when we alleviate the distribution delays. Third, we\u2019re dealing with vaccine \u201chesitancy\u201d and the recent discussions around changing dosing regimens<\/a>, despite the fact that we have no data to support those changes, might cast further doubt for those on the fence. Dr. Rasmussen shares her thoughts on these high-level issues, and gets into the details of each:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Rasmussen is a virologist studying host responses to infection by combining classical virology with modern systems biology approaches. Her research objectives are to identify host response signatures predictive of infection severity or disease outcome and host pathways to target drug development or repurposing. She is particularly interested in viruses that are highly pathogenic, newly emergent or likely to emerge because of climate change, land development, or ecological disruption. Currently she is focused on SARS-CoV-2, as well as other emerging pathogens with the potential to profoundly impact global health, such as Ebola virus, MERS-CoV, influenza virus, and hemorrhagic fever viruses. She works closely with other faculty and affiliates within the GHSS on the Viral Emergence Research Initiative (the VERENA Consortium), where she leads the core virology team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Rasmussen has employed uses in vitro systems, animal models, and clinical specimens to study the relationship between host response and pathogenesis. She previously developed a model of Ebola virus disease in a genetically diverse panel of mice, the Collaborative Cross (CC), leveraging the diversity of CC mouse disease phenotypes to study genetic and transcriptomic factors underlying disease severity in humans. She has applied this model to developing predictive signatures of disease outcome and infection and identify novel drug targets. She is currently evaluating CC mouse models towards investigation of sex-specific host responses to viral infection, as well as to investigate disease presentation in other viruses that pose a major threat to global public health, including SARS-CoV-2. Ultimately, these host response profiles can be used for translational or biodefense applications, such as diagnosing infection, predicting disease severity, informing vaccine design, and developing or repurposing host-targeted drugs to impair virus replication or reverse pathology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Rasmussen has published numerous original research articles in the peer-reviewed literature and serves on the editorial board of Cell Reports and mSphere. In addition to her scientific work, she believes that engagement of the public is essential to successful public health initiatives and is an active and outspoken science communicator. She has written for Forbes, Foreign Affairs, Slate, the Guardian, and Leapsmag, and appeared many times in media outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, National Public Radio, ABC, NBC, CNN, CBC, and BBC. She is also an advocate for equitable and inclusive science, and serves on the NIH Advisory Committee to the Director\u2019s Working Group on Changing the Culture to End Sexual Harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Listen wherever you get your podcasts:<\/p>\n\n\n\nCommunicating Science to the Public<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Vaccine Challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Angela Rasmussen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Links and Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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