Contact Information
Orange Park Florida Bldg 2
Phone: 423-869-6428
Email: jesse.deere@lmunet.edu
Office Location: TBD
Overview
Dr. Jesse Deere serves as the Assistant Professor of Research. His work centers on understanding how viruses evade host immune defenses to establish and maintain infection. Dr. Deere’s research aims to identify and disrupt these mechanisms of immune escape, ultimately tipping the balance toward host protection and viral clearance.
His One Health research perspective integrates basic and translational research approaches to advance human and animal health. His work employs a wide range of techniques, including molecular biology, cell culture systems, and studies in research animals. He is particularly focused on persistent viral pathogens such as herpesviruses and HIV, with an emphasis on how these viruses establish lifelong infection.
In the long term, Dr. Deere’s research program seeks to generate key insights into host–pathogen interactions, especially the strategies viruses use to avoid immune detection and persist within the host. His overarching goal is to translate these insights into meaningful advances in preventing and controlling viral diseases across species.
Role at OPCVM
Dr. Jesse Deere contributes to pre‑clinical research education through his expertise in microbiology, virology, and host–pathogen interactions, fostering student learning by integrating active research into foundational instruction on viral pathogens, immune‑evasion mechanisms, and preventive strategies. Through his scholarly work and service to the profession and community, Dr. Deere supports a strong investigative culture while helping prepare future professionals to think critically about complex challenges in infectious disease biology.
Research Focus
Dr. Jesse Deere’s research centers on infectious disease biology, with a particular focus on microbiology, virology, and host–pathogen interactions. His work aims to advance the understanding of how viruses evade immune defenses and establish persistent infection, ultimately informing strategies to strengthen host immunity and reduce disease burden in both human and animal populations. With expertise in HIV, herpesviruses, and vaccinology, Dr. Deere investigates the molecular mechanisms that allow these viruses to persist within hosts, using approaches that span molecular biology, cell culture systems, and translational One Health research models. His scholarship brings together foundational virology with applied immunological principles, contributing to the development of improved prevention and intervention strategies for chronic viral infections.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2539-0338
Education and Certifications
BS: Oregon State University
PhD: University of California, Davis
