Harsha Palav

About

I am an immunology and virology researcher with a strong focus on understanding host-pathogen interactions, viral immunopathogenesis, and maternal-fetal immunity. My doctoral research at ICMR-NIRRCH, Mumbai, investigated immune correlates and viral signatures of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and their association with congenital transmission and pregnancy outcomes. This work deepened my interest in translational research, bridging fundamental immunology with clinically relevant outcomes. Currently, I am part of the BSL-3 facility at ICMR-NIV, Pune, where I contribute to studies on high-risk pathogens including Nipah, Mpox, and Bpox viruses, with emphasis on immune profiling using flow cytometry. Over the course of my research career, I have also worked on HIV, COVID-19, and tuberculosis-related immune responses, and participated in outbreak investigations and cohort studies of national importance. I am trained in a broad range of molecular, serological, and cellular techniques, with extensive expertise in flow cytometry-based immune monitoring. My work has resulted in several peer-reviewed publications, international conference presentations, and recognition through fellowships, travel grants, and awards. Passionate about advancing viral immunology, I aim to continue contributing to research on emerging infectious diseases and immune regulation during infection, with the long-term goal of improving public health and translational interventions.

Employment

• ICMR-National Institute of Virology Project Technical Support III
  2025 - Present
• National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health Project Associate I
  2023 - 2024
• National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health PhD Research fellow
  2018 - 2025

Education

Education history is unavailable.

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (12)

• Immunological signatures and genomic adaptations in Human Mpox Clade Ib and IIb and Buffalopox Infections in India
  Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2026.101068
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• Protective Immune Signatures Associated with Latent TB Infection in PLHIV—Insights from an Integrative Prospective Immune Monitoring Study
  Cells 2025 DOI: 10.3390/cells14201622
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• Recent HCMV infection in early pregnancy associates with congenital transmission & adverse pregnancy outcome: A prospective cohort study
  The Indian Journal of Medical Research 2025 DOI: 10.25259/ijmr_89_2024
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• A triad of gut dysbiosis, dysregulated immunity, and ‘leaky’ gut characterize HCMV associated neonatal cholestasis
  Gut Pathogens 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-024-00663-3
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• Comparative immune profiling in survivors of the 2023 Nipah outbreak in Kerala state, India
  Journal of Medical Virology 2024 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29920
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• A novel gut microbiome–immune axis influencing pathology in HCMV infected infants with neonatal cholestasis
  Microbes and Infection 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105165
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• Integrated immune monitoring of HCMV infection in pregnant women with complications and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes
  Microbial Pathogenesis 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106109
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• Cytomegalovirus reactivation in a SARS-CoV-2 infected woman experiencing fetal demise in the first trimester with fetal trisomy 21: A case report
  Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.12.002
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• Highly dampened HIV-specific cytolytic effector T cell responses define viremic non-progression.
  Immunobiology 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152234
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• Opposing roles for sMAdCAM and IL-15 in COVID-19 associated cellular immune pathology.
  Journal of leukocyte biology 2022 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3covbcr0621-300r
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