Nagaraja Thirumalapura is interested in understanding the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, and host immune responses against infectious agents. He obtained his Ph.D. from the Oklahoma State University and worked in the area of molecular diagnostics for his doctoral dissertation. His present research is focused on understanding the mechanisms of host defenses against obligate intracellular bacteria in the genus Ehrlichia. He is studying the significance of antigen persistence in induction and maintenance of memory T cells, and the role of memory T cell subsets in conferring long-term protection against ehrlichiosis. This knowledge of memory T cells is fundamental to rational design of effective vaccines against ehrlichial infections. Research Project: Development of memory T cells and their role in protection against ehrlichiosis.