Cormac Lucas 

Research Interest

Cormac focuses on how pathogenic CHIKV infection disrupts the antiviral function of the draining lymph node and is interested specifically in virus-host interactions that dictate the success or failure of adaptive immune response. Current work includes investigating how interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) activation is related to impairment of B cell responses, analyzing the transcriptional response of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) to viral infection, and defining the effect of the scavenger receptor MARCO on initiation of antigen specific T and B cell responses in the lymph node.

Outside the lab

Cormac spends a lot of time lifting weights at the gym or running/biking on the trails near his Denver neighborhood. He also enjoys singing along to music and cooking before relaxing with a good book. In the summer, he likes to wake up at 2am to drive into the mountains and hike Colorado’s many 13ers and 14ers.