Robin R. Ingalls, MD
Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Medicine
Infectious Diseases

MD, Harvard University
BA, Holy Cross College



The ability of innate immune system to sense invasion by a pathogenic organism and respond appropriately in order to control infection is paramount to survival. To that end, an array of receptors and binding proteins has evolved as part of the innate immune system to detect invading microorganisms. My laboratory is broadly interested in understanding how pathogens are detected at mucosal surfaces and how infection can lead to local and systemic damage, with a specific emphasis on reproductive immunology and women’s health. Our recent work includes model development for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections in the female reproductive tract that lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility; investigations of how infections alter placental immunity and contribute to preterm birth; and the impact of sex and gender on host-pathogen interactions.

Additional interests include emerging infectious diseases and their intersection with infection control and research safety. I am the Medical Director of the Special Pathogens Unit (SPU), a state-of-the-art maximum containment facility developed to support researchers at the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL). The SPU is recognized as a designated site of care of patients with highly communicable diseases by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Boston Public Health Commission, and is available for any patients admitted to Boston Medical Center with infectious diseases requiring care in containment.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

As a woman, a first generation college student, and a practitioner in a safety-net hospital, I am intensely aware of the challenges that many people face, both personally and professionally. I chose a career in infectious diseases at Boston Medical Center in order to improve the health of marginalized individuals. In my research space, I am committed to mentoring individuals who are underrepresented in STEM, and to providing a safe and supportive working environment. I serve on the Faculty Development and Diversity Committee in the Department of Medicine, and I am a member of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society for first generation college students.

Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Virology, Immunology & Microbiology


Member
Boston University
Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research


Member
Boston University
Genome Science Institute


Graduate Faculty (Primary Mentor of Grad Students)
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences




National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories Operations
07/08/2021 - 06/30/2026 (Key Person)
PI: Nancy J. Sullivan, ScD
NIH/National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
5UC7AI095321-10

Role of the Innate Immune System in Pathogen-Induced Chronic Inflammation
08/01/2010 - 07/31/2017 (PI of Sub-Project / SP)
PI: Caroline A. Genco, PhD
NIH/National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
5P01AI078894-05


Understanding the effects of cross-sex hormone therapy on vaginal mucosal immunity
08/14/2023 - 08/13/2024 (PI)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH/DHHS
1R21AI178913-01

Placental Defenses against Zika Virus Infection
07/25/2017 - 06/30/2019 (PI)
Trustees of Boston University, BUMC National Institute o
5R21AI134576-02

Role of Chlamydia Species in Pre-term Birth & Placental Dysfunction
07/01/2012 - 06/30/2018 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
4R01 AI101088-05

Role of Chlamydia Species in Pre-term Birth & Placental Dysfunction
07/01/2012 - 06/30/2018 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
5R01 AI101088-04

Role of complement activation in the development of HIV-associated metabolic syndrome
07/01/2016 - 06/30/2017 (PI)
Miriam Hospital NIH-NIAID

Role of Chlamydia Species in Preterm Birth and Placental Dysfunction (Supplement)
07/01/2012 - 06/30/2017 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
3R01AI101088-04

Project 2 - Innate Immune Defenses Against Acute and Chronic Infection with C. Penumoniae
08/01/2010 - 06/30/2015 (PI)
Trustees of Boston University NIH-NIAID

Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Experimental and Human Gonoccocal Infection
09/25/2009 - 08/31/2014 (PI)
UMASS Worcester NIH-NIAID

Interaction of Chalmydia with Innate Immune Receptors
03/15/2005 - 12/31/2012 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
5 R01 AI64749-05

Innate Immune Receptors in Host Responses to Neisseria
08/01/2005 - 01/31/2011 (PI)
NIH-NIAID
5R01 AI046613-10

Showing 10 of 14 results. Show All Results

Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs
2024 Systems genetics of premorbid and cocaine use traits in a rat reduced complexity cross 7U01DA055299-03
2024 Understanding the effects of cross-sex hormone therapy on vaginal mucosal immunity 5R21AI178913-02
2023 Understanding the effects of cross-sex hormone therapy on vaginal mucosal immunity 1R21AI178913-01
2023 Systems genetics of premorbid and cocaine use traits in a rat reduced complexity cross 5U01DA055299-02
2023 Nature and Predictors of Impaired Harm Avoidance in Polysubstance Abuse 5R33DA045148-05
2022 Systems genetics of premorbid and cocaine use traits in a rat reduced complexity cross 1U01DA055299-01
2022 Nature and Predictors of Impaired Harm Avoidance in Polysubstance Abuse 5R33DA045148-04
2021 Nature and Predictors of Impaired Harm Avoidance in Polysubstance Abuse 4R33DA045148-03
2021 Mechanisms of Extinction Memory Enhancement for Cocaine Addiction Treatment 5R01DA043454-05
2020 Mechanisms of Extinction Memory Enhancement for Cocaine Addiction Treatment 5R01DA043454-04
Showing 10 of 89 results. Show All Results

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

iCite Analysis       Copy PMIDs To Clipboard

  1. DiLorenzo MA, Davis MR, Dugas JN, Nelson KP, Hochberg NS, Ingalls RR, Mishuris RG, Schechter-Perkins EM. Performance of three screening tools to predict COVID-19 positivity in emergency department patients. Emerg Med J. 2023 Mar; 40(3):210-215.View Related Profiles. PMID: 36596666
     
  2. Doron S, Ingalls RR, Beauchamp A, Boehm JS, Boucher HW, Chow LH, Corridan L, Goehringer K, Golenbock D, Larsen L, Lussier D, Testa M, Ciaranello A. Weekly SARS-CoV-2 screening of asymptomatic kindergarten to grade 12 students and staff helps inform strategies for safer in-person learning. Cell Rep Med. 2021 Nov 16; 2(11):100452. PMID: 34723225; PMCID: PMC8549440; DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100452;
     
  3. Vercruysse J, Mekasha S, Stropp LM, Moroney J, He X, Liang Y, Vragovic O, Valle E, Ballard J, Pudney J, Kuohung W, Ingalls RR. Chlamydia trachomatis Infection, when Treated during Pregnancy, Is Not Associated with Preterm Birth in an Urban Safety-Net Hospital. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2020; 2020:8890619.View Related Profiles. PMID: 33082702; PMCID: PMC7556048; DOI: 10.1155/2020/8890619;
     
  4. Wynn A, Bristow CC, Cristillo AD, Murphy SM, van den Broek N, Muzny C, Kallapur S, Cohen C, Ingalls RR, Wiesenfeld H, Litch JA, Morris SR, Klausner JD. Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnancy and Reproductive Health: Proceedings of the STAR Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinical Trial Group Programmatic Meeting. Sex Transm Dis. 2020 01; 47(1):5-11. PMID: 31658242; PMCID: PMC10731617; DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001075;
     
  5. Gulati S, Beurskens FJ, de Kreuk BJ, Roza M, Zheng B, DeOliveira RB, Shaughnessy J, Nowak NA, Taylor RP, Botto M, He X, Ingalls RR, Woodruff TM, Song WC, Schuurman J, Rice PA, Ram S. Complement alone drives efficacy of a chimeric antigonococcal monoclonal antibody. PLoS Biol. 2019 06; 17(6):e3000323. PMID: 31216278; PMCID: PMC6602280; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000323;
     
  6. Mostaghim A, Dhanani M, Ingalls RR. Fournier's gangrene as an initial manifestation of acute promyelocytic leukemia: A case report and review of the literature. SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2019; 7:2050313X19834425. PMID: 30854206; PMCID: PMC6399751; DOI: 10.1177/2050313X19834425;
     
  7. Ray TD, Mekasha S, Liang Y, Lu B, Ram S, Ingalls RR. Species-specific differences in regulation of macrophage inflammation by the C3a-C3a receptor axis. Innate Immun. 2018 01; 24(1):66-78. PMID: 29297237; PMCID: PMC6818254; DOI: 10.1177/1753425917747044;
     
  8. Dutta Ray T, Mekasha S, Liang Y, Lu B, Ram S, Ingalls RR. Editor's Choice. Innate Immun. 2018 Jan; 24(1):3. PMID: 29313794
     
  9. Kramer CD, Simas AM, He X, Ingalls RR, Weinberg EO, Genco CA. Distinct roles for dietary lipids and Porphyromonas gingivalis infection on atherosclerosis progression and the gut microbiota. Anaerobe. 2017 Jun; 45:19-30.View Related Profiles. PMID: 28442421; PMCID: PMC5521207; DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2017.04.011;
     
  10. Aqeel Y, Rodriguez R, Chatterjee A, Ingalls RR, Samuelson J. Killing of diverse eye pathogens (Acanthamoeba spp., Fusarium solani, and Chlamydia trachomatis) with alcohols. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Feb; 11(2):e0005382.View Related Profiles. PMID: 28182670; PMCID: PMC5321442; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005382;
     
Showing 10 of 55 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 55 publications over 26 distinct years, with a maximum of 4 publications in 1997 and 1998 and 1999 and 2000 and 2002

YearPublications
19952
19961
19974
19984
19994
20004
20012
20024
20031
20051
20061
20071
20092
20101
20112
20122
20133
20142
20152
20162
20172
20182
20192
20202
20211
20231


COVID-19 and the Catholic conscience

Worcester Telegram & Gazette 8/12/2021

2022 Boston University: Tri-Alpha National Honor Society
1996 International Endotoxin Society: Young Investigator Award
1995 Massachusetts Infectious Diseases Society: Maxwell Finland Young Investigator Award
1985 College of the Holy Cross: Magna Cum Laude
1984 Phi Beta Kappa
In addition to these self-described keywords below, a list of MeSH based concepts is available here.

Host-Pathogen Interactions
Infectious Diseases
Innate Immunity
Sepsis
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Reproductive Immunity
Contact for Mentoring:

650 Albany St Evans Biomed Research Ctr
Boston MA 02118
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