This is a past event.

Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar

Bapi Pahar, Ph.D.

Michigan Technological University

Abstract

Nipah virus, a highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus, leads to severe respiratory and neurological diseases in humans, with a case-fatality rate of approximately 60%. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of this disease and the advancements made in vaccine research to date. Additionally, I will discuss my recent studies on Nipah virus pathogenesis in animal models and explore the virus-cell interactions using an organon-chip model. 

Bio

Bapi Pahar, holding degrees in B.V.Sc. & A.H., M.V.Sc., Ph.D., M.B.A., and PMP, is a senior research engineer scientist at the Translational Health Engineering Research Center at Michigan Technological University (MTU), MI, USA. While pursuing his master's degree in India, he created a commercially produced vaccine for infectious bursal disease (IBD). He obtained his M.B.A. in entrepreneurship and international business from Tulane University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Pahar has previously worked as an associate professor at Tulane University, where he focused on the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and the development of translational vaccines and therapeutics. At the NIH NIAID, he investigated risk group 4 pathogens, focusing on disease mechanisms and vaccine strategies. His research interests encompass mucosal immunology, epithelial biology, and T- and B-cell function, with more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and funding from the NIH, amfAR, and NSF. He is currently engaged in developing collaborative translational research projects with Michigan Tech, Michigan State University, and industry partners to further the mission of the Translational Health Engineering Research Center (THERC).