Dr Alberto Ospina Stella

Header

Postdoctoral researcher

COVID-19

Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program

aospinastella@kirby.unsw.edu.au

Vertical Tabs

Main

Bio:

Alberto obtained a B.Sc in molecular biotechnology (2012) and a M.Sc. in molecular medicine (2014) from top-rated universities in Germany. He then completed his PhD at UNSW (2019) and continued his work as postdoctoral research scientist at the Kirby Institute, working on HIV host-pathogen interactions and gene therapy cure approaches for HIV infection. Since March 2020 (first COVID-19 wave in Australia), Alberto was recruited to work full-time on SARS-CoV-2 (novel coronavirus) research, as part of our institute’s rapid response strategy to the pandemic.

Qualifications:

PhD (molecular virology), M.Sc. (molecular medicine), B.Sc. (molecular biotechnology).

Research

Research activities:

In early 2020, Alberto helped to establish novel coronavirus research in the Kirby Institute's PC3 high-containment laboratory. Since then, he continues to lead several important research efforts within this space, with the aim to unveil knowledge and tools that assist us in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of these projects include the identification of highly-neutralizing sera against SARS-CoV-2, characterization of the COVID-19 immune response over time, collaborative testing of samples from Australian vaccine candidates, antiviral drug screenings and identification of cellular host factors required for SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.

Vertical Tabs

Support our world-leading research and change lives.

Events

Publications

Journal articles