Dr. Ashrafali is an investigator in the field of virology. He received his PhD in 2013 from Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, where his research focused on hepatitis B virus genomics and antiviral resistance mechanisms. Following the completion of his academic program, Dr. Ashrafali joined the Chodosh laboratory at Mass. Eye and Ear where he researches the biology and evolution of human adenoviruses that are associated with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, a severe and contagious eye infection. There is currently no antiviral treatment for this disease.
Dr. Ashrafali’s research interest includes i) evolutionary analysis of human adenoviruses, ii) genome-wide binding profiles of transcription factors to adenoviral DNA and its gene regulation, iii) virus-host protein interactions using affinity purification and mass spectrometry methods, and iv) viral DNA sensors and immune evasion strategies.
Download his CV for more information.
Education
2004: B.Sc., Microbiology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, TN, India
2006: M.Sc., Applied Microbiology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, TN, India
2013: Ph.D., Clinical Virology, Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, TN, India
Postgraduate Training
2018: Research Fellowship, Ophthalmology, Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Academic Appointments
2018: Instructor in Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
Professional Memberships
2014-present: Member, American Society for Virology
2014-present: Member, International Adenovirus Meeting
2014-present: Member, Program in Quantitative Genomics, Harvard School of Public Health
Honors
2016: Travel Award, American Society for Virology
2017: Travel Award, Harvard Program in Quantitative Genomics