Dr. Mariya Goncheva

Dr. Mariya Goncheva is an Assistant Professor in the School of Molecular Life Sciences. Academic credentials include a BSc and PhD from the University of Edinburgh.

How viruses and bacteria work together to cause disease

Research Interests

 Dr. Goncheva studies infectious diseases that affect the lungs. Her laboratory investigates respiratory viruses, including influenza A virus and seasonal coronaviruses, and how these infections can be complicated by secondary bacterial infections. A major focus is Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that can cause severe disease when the respiratory system has already been weakened by a virus. The group examines the three-way relationship among the host, the virus, and the bacterium during co-infection. Researchers use molecular bacteriology, virology, microscopy, and large-scale genomic and protein-analysis approaches. By identifying how viruses and bacteria influence one another and alter the immune response, the team hopes to uncover new approaches for preventing or treating serious respiratory infections.