Lindsay Wilson, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology
Lindsay studies Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), which is a mosquito-borne virus endemic to Africa and the Middle East. This virus can cause severe disease in children as well as adults and is especially prevalent in agricultural communities. Severe disease can manifest as encephalitis, hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis, and/or retinitis. She’s interested in understanding the host factors that cause these different disease manifestations. As researchers better understand the host genetics that alter disease progression, they will learn more about potential therapeutic targets for treating Rift Valley fever and improve their ability to screen for risk factors of severe disease. She and her spouse welcomed their first child in August 2024. They enjoy spending time with him and their three dogs. Lindsay loves being active and enjoys hockey, pickleball, and hiking. She is always seeking out new sporting opportunities. Since moving to Pittsburgh, she has also embraced home ownership, learning new projects like woodworking, gardening, and other creative artistic endeavors to contribute to their home. Lindsay also loves to sing and plays a variety of instruments.