Current research interests and activities related to COVID-19:  My lab is interested in the innate immune mechanisms in the olfactory neuroepithelium that prevent viral invasion into the brain via the olfactory nerve. We are interested to participate in evaluating SARS-CoV-2 infection in the olfactory mucosa and its potential spread into the brain, particularly examining the olfactory bulb. We are also interested in participating in any longitudinal studies to investigate the long term impact of SARS-CoV-2 on olfactory function in correlation to other neurodegenerative manifestation.