Imke Steffen

Dr. Steffen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology and the Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases. She holds a Ph.D. in Infection Biology and Virology from Hannover Medical School in Germany and conducted postdoctoral research at the Vitalant Research Institute and UCSF. From 2017 to 2024, she led a research lab at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany. Her research focuses on emerging zoonotic RNA viruses, with an emphasis on flaviviruses. A key feature of zoonotic viruses is their differential pathogenesis among susceptible hosts, where some develop symptomatic disease while others do not. Dr. Steffen's work investigates the molecular, cellular, and immune-regulated host responses to flaviviruses and other RNA viruses. Her aim is to identify molecular factors influencing host tropism and pathogenesis, potentially leading to new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.