The Viral Hepatitis Center conducts a number of clinical and basic research studies related to Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV).
Clinical Trials Seeking Volunteer Participants
The Johns Hopkins Viral Hepatitis Center has research studies for treatment of Hepatitis B or C, and has studies where no medication is involved. Most studies offer participant compensation. To learn about our available hepatitis studies, please call our team at 410-955-7538 or email [email protected]
Faculty Researchers
Justin Bailey, MD, PhD
Justin Bailey, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine. His research focuses on the study of immune responses against Hepatitis C Virus, particularly neutralizing antibody responses with the goal of guiding vaccine development against the virus. Bailey Research Dashboard and Publications
Ashwin Balagopal, MD
Ashwin Balagopal, MD is an Associate Professor of Medicine. His research focus is on microbial translocation and Kupffer cells in HIV/HCV coinfection, along with in situ liver studies of HIV/HCV pathogenesis. Balagopal Research Dashboard and Publications
Michael Chattergoon, MD, PhD
Michael Chattergoon, MD, PhD is a Robert Meyerhoff Assistant Professor of Medicine. His research involves the study of innate immune system responses against chronic viral infections, including Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and HIV. Chattergoon Research Dashboard and Publications
Andrea Cox, MD, PhD
Andrea Cox, MD, PhD is a Professor of Medicine. The Cox laboratory investigates the host immune response to chronic human viral infections, including HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus. The lab is presently determining the innate and cellular immune responses associated with repeated HCV control to inform prophylactic vaccine development. Dr. Cox leads the first efficacy trial of a preventative HCV vaccine (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01436357) and is the immunologist on an ACTG trial of a novel HBV vaccine in people living with HIV. The Cox laboratory is also interested in regulation of molecules that control T cell function in chronic viral infections. Lastly, the Cox lab is interested in viral activation of the inflammasome, which induces antiviral cytokines as well as inflammation. Cox Research Dashboard and Publications
Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia, MBBS, MPH
Oluwaseun (Seun) Falade-Nwulia, MBBS, MPH is an Assistant Professor of Medicine. Her clinical research focus is elimination of hepatitis C through development of models to improve hepatitis C testing, linkage to care and treatment for people who inject drugs, HIV infected and other marginalized populations. Falade-Nwulia Research Dashboard and Publications
Risha Irvin, MD, MPH
Risha Irvin, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor of Medicine. Her clinical research focus is HIV and HCV prevention and linkage to care/treatment interventions particularly as they intersect with the social determinants of health. She directs Generation Tomorrow, a HIV/HCV training programs for students and community members for the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). She also directs Sharing the Cure, a HCV treatment training programs for clinicians. Irvin Research Dashboard and Publications
William Osburn, MS, PhD
William (Bill) Osburn, MS, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine. His research concerns viral molecular nanodiagnostics, neutralizing antibody responses during acute Hepatitis B infection, and immune responses to Hepatitis C virus following HAART during HIV/HCV coinfection. Osburn Research Dashboard and Publications
Stuart C. Ray, MD
Stuart C Ray, MD is a Professor of Medicine. His research is focused on the evolution and immune evasion of the Hepatitis C genome during acute and chronic infection. Ray Research Dashboard and Publications
Mark Sulkowski, MD
Mark Sulkowski, MD is a Professor of Medicine, Medical Director of the Viral Hepatitis Center, and Associate Dean for Research in the Capital Region (Howard County General, Suburban, and Sibley Memorial Hospitals). His research is focused on clinical trials of novel antiviral drugs and implementation strategies for the treatment of individuals with Hepatitis B or C virus infection and the elimination and control of these infections in impacted patient populations. Dr. Sulkowski has been the principal investigator for more than 100 clinical trials, and served as the global principal investigator on more than a dozen trials, including the vanguard study of novel combination therapy that revolutionized the treatment of HCV. He chairs the Hepatitis Transformative Sciences Group of the National Institute of Health-funded adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG). He is an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the American Association of Physicians. Sulkowski Research Dashboard and Publications
Chloe Thio, MD
Chloe L Thio, MD is a Professor of Medicine. Her research is concentrated on the human genetic variation affecting the outcomes of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viral infections, treatment and virology of HBV and HIV coinfection, and HBV immunology and virology with the goal of HBV cure. Thio Research Dashboard and Publications
David L. Thomas, MD, MPH
David L. Thomas, MD, MPH is the Stanhope Bayne-Jones Professor of Medicine. Dr. Thomas’ interests include the pathogenesis of chronic viral liver disease and roles of HIV and host genetics on outcomes, as well as the elimination of viral hepatitis and virome as a component of the host microbiome. Thomas Research Dashboard and Publications