Victor Ferreira, BSc, PhD

Dr. Ferreira’s research focuses on improving outcomes of viral infections in immunocompromised individuals through three integrated pillars:

1. We investigate vaccine immunogenicity in transplant recipients using a systems immunology approach. Our goal is to identify strategies that optimize protective immune responses while minimizing adverse events. We are expanding beyond traditional measures such as neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses to include B-cell profiling and non-neutralizing antibody functions like antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). To comprehensively understand vaccine-induced immunity, we are integrating multi-omics platforms—including metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics—to identify molecular signatures associated with vaccine responsiveness and failure. These data will be used to define correlates of protection and support personalized vaccine strategies.
2. We study virus-host interactions in the immunocompromised host. This includes detailed immunophenotyping of T-cell responses before and after infection and integrating these data with viral load and clinical outcomes to better understand viral pathogenesis. We also apply virus-inclusive single-cell modalities (e.g., flow cytometry, scRNA-seq) to map cell susceptibility, permissiveness, and virus-induced alterations in cell function. These efforts aim to identify biomarkers of disease risk and novel therapeutic targets.
3. We are developing therapeutic strategies to eliminate latent viruses from donated organs using ex vivo organ perfusion (EVOP). This platform enables targeted delivery of targeted modalities like antivirals, light therapy, gene-editing tools, immunotoxins, and engineered immune cells directly to the donated organ prior to transplantation. Our goal is to reduce post-transplant viral complications by treating the organ before implantation.