Dr. Catalfamo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She also serves as Co-Director for the Basic Science Core at the DC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Dr. Catalfamo's laboratory has a long-term interest in elucidating the mechanisms behind T cell immune activation, a critical player in the pathogenesis of HIV infection. The findings from her lab that CD8 T cells express thrombin receptor (PAR-1) suggest a complex interplay between CD8 T cells and endothelial cells with important implications in immune surveillance, inflammation, and tissue repair. Her research is particularly focused on understanding how CD8 T cells promote endothelial inflammation and its impact on cardiovascular risk in people with HIV (PWH). By investigating these mechanisms, Dr. Catalfamo's work seeks to uncover new therapeutic targets to mitigate the cardiovascular complications in PWH.
