Expert profile
Dr. Akiko Iwasaki
Immunologist, Yale Center for Infection and Immunity
Viral immunology • Long COVID mechanisms • post-acute infectious syndromes • ME/CFS • biomarker research
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About the expert
Focus: Cutting-edge immunology research on the biological mechanisms of Long COVID and other post-acute infectious syndromes
Sterling Professor of Immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine and founder of the new Yale Center for Infection and Immunity (CII). One of the world's leading immunologists working on post-acute infectious syndromes including Long COVID and ME/CFS. Her lab investigates four primary mechanism hypotheses for Long COVID: persistent viral infection, autoimmunity, latent virus reactivation, and tissue-wide inflammatory dysregulation. Notable work includes biomarker research reporting 94% accuracy for Long COVID detection from blood markers even when standard tests appear normal. Mainstream academic immunology credentials at the highest tier; HHMI Investigator; member of the National Academy of Sciences. Patient-led community research partnerships shape her approach.