Norah Bhatt

Norah Bhatt studies the immunological mechanisms of HBV persistence and the T cell exhaustion that prevents viral clearance in chronic HBV infection. Her research has characterized the phenotypic and functional properties of HBV-specific exhausted CD8 T cells and their contribution to both viral persistence and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of HBV-associated HCC. She has investigated PD-1 checkpoint blockade and therapeutic vaccination strategies to reinvigorate HBV-specific T cell responses for combined antiviral and anti-tumor immunity. Her immunological insights inform strategies to harness immune responses for both HBV cure and prevention of HBV-associated HCC.