Marisa Muckian
Thesis title: Tackling fundamental questions in viral epidemiology and vaccination using genomics and data science
PhD in Population Health Sciences
Year of study: 1
- Usher Institute
Contact details
- Email: M.Muckian@sms.ed.ac.uk
PhD supervisors:
Background
After studying a BSc in Biochemistry with a strong interest in the genetics of complex traits, Marisa undertook an MSc in bioinformatics and computational genomics at Queens Univeristy, Belfast. During this time she began working on a project indentifying risk loci associated with haemotological malignancies and exploring the influence of genetic biomarkers on reproductive and menstrual factors, as well as circulating endogenous sex-hormones in males and females. In 2019, Marisa began her PhD investigating the epidemiology and genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Qualifications
MSc Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
Research summary
Despite Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) having a seroprevalence of 90-95% world-wide, little is known as to why the remainder or the population remain seronegative. EBV seropositivity has been linked to various cancers, such as Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkins lymphomas but there is a lack of understanding about the implications of being seronegative and how genetic traits influence susceptibility to infection.
This project aims to investigate the genetic factors influencing EBV serostatus as well as expanding on the health outcomes related to being either seropositive and seronegative.