Biography
I grew up in China and came to Washington, DC, as an exchange student for my last year of high school. Then I went to Drexel University in Philadelphia for my undergraduate education, majoring in bioscience and biotechnology. While there, I became a Christian through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. After graduating from Drexel, I went on to Johns Hopkins University for my Ph.D. in cellular and molecular medicine. After one year as a postdoc at Hopkins, I came to teach at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ. I am a member of Madison Square Christian Reformed Church, where I participate in the choir. I enjoy traveling, photography, and bird watching. I am also an enthusiastic pickleball player.
Education
- Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, John Hopkins University (2004)
- B.S. in Bioscience and Biotechnology, Drexel University (1998)
Professional Experience
- ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, Professor of Biology (2018–present)
- ÐßÐßÊÓƵ College, Associate Professor of Biology (2011–2018)
- ÐßÐßÊÓƵ College, Assistant Professor of Biology (2005–2011)
- Washington Bible College, Adjunct Professor of Biology (2005)
- Johns Hopkins University, Postdoctoral Fellow (2004–2005)
- McNeil Consumer Product Company, Research Intern (1995–1996)
- SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Research Assistant (1994–1995)
Academic Interests
- HIV biology
- T cell immunology
- Traditional Chinese medicine
Research
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has claimed over 40 million lives globally since its discovery over 40, and currently there are about 40 million people living with HIV worldwide. HIV infects white blood cells called T cells and destroys the immune system. Since the 1990s, antiretroviral therapy (ART) has made tremendous progress in treating HIV patients. Today, in most patients with HIV-1 infection, ART can successfully suppress the virus and restore the immune system. However, even in successfully treated patients, there is no cure, because the virus hides in latent reservoirs.
My area of research studies the latent reservoir of HIV in T cells. I am investigating the mechanisms of how reservoirs are formed and potential ways to remove the latent reservoir. My latest work involves investigating the roles of endothelial cells in HIV infection and reservoir formation in T cells. Endothelial cells stimulate T cells so that they become much more susceptible to HIV infection. They also induce reservoir formation in the T cells. We are investigating the mechanisms behind the stimulation.
Select Publications
(*ÐßÐßÊÓƵ undergraduate students)
J Eddy*, F Pham*, R Chee*, E Park*, N Dapprich*, SL DeRuiter, A Shen. 2023. Intestinal endothelial cells increase HIV infection and latency in resting and activated CD4 + T cells, particularly affecting CCR6 + CD4 + T cells. .
A Shen. 2020. From need to distribution: vaccine development in urgent times. .
M Schilthuis*, S Verkaik*, M Walhof*, A Philipose*, O Harlow*, D Kamp*, BR Kim*, A Shen. 2018. Lymphatic endothelial cells promote productive and latent HIV infection in resting CD4+ T cells. .
JH Morris*, T Nguyen*, A Nwadike*, M Geels*, D Kamp*, BR Kim*, JD Boyer, A Shen. 2017. Soluble factors secreted by endothelial cells allow for productive and latent HIV-1 infection in resting CD4+ T cells. .
A Shen, JJ Baker*, GL Scott*, YP Davis*, Y-Y Ho, RF Siliciano. 2013. Endothelial cell stimulation overcomes restriction and promotes productive and latent HIV-1 infection of resting CD4+ T Cells. .
Professional Associations
- American Scientific Affiliation
Awards
- 2022, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Student-Faculty Research Award
- 2010, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Faculty Lectureship Award
Grants
- 2026–2029, principal investigator, NIH R15 grant 1R15AI195005-01A1: Mechanisms of HIV infection in resting CD4+ T cells stimulated by endothelial cells ($450,764)
- 2020–2024, principal investigator, NIH R15 grant 2R15AI096991 – 03: Roles of endothelial cells in HIV infection and latency in resting CD4+ T cells ($362,411)
- 2015–2019, principal investigator, NIH R15 grant 1R15AI096991-02A1: Roles of endothelial cells in HIV infection and latency in resting CD4+ T cells ($306,572)
- 2015–2016, co-principal investigator, Grand Valley State University Grant: Viral kinetics of HIV infection of resting CD4+ T cells stimulated by endothelial cells ($5,000)
- 2011–2015, principal investigator, NIH R15 grant 1R15AI096991-01: Roles of endothelial cells in HIV infection and latency in resting CD4+ T cells ($306,211)
- 2011–2014, consultant, NIH R01 Grant 1R01AI093307-01A1: Identification and eradication of HIV tissue reservoirs in a relevant animal model (PI: B Ling, Tulane University, $3,000)
- 2009–2010, NIH ARRA supplemental summer research experience grant 2009-2010 NIH: Latent viral reservoirs in HIV-1 infection ($39,950)
- 2006–2009, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ College Research Fellowship: On-going viral replication in highly active anti-retroviral therapy in treated HIV patients ($3,000 per year)
