Research Interests
Dr. Chu's research is focused on maternal immunization, in particular vaccines against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). She studies the virologic and immunologic correlates of protection from respiratory viral infections in pregnant women, infants, and older adults, and performs clinical trials of vaccine candidates in both domestic and international sites, including Nepal and Bangladesh. She has developed immunologic assays to study transplacental transfer and decay kinetics of RSV antibody, and nosocomial and household transmission of respiratory viruses by genotypic analysis and molecular sequencing.
Epidemiology Biography
Education
MPH Epidemiology, University of Washington, 2012
MD Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 2005
BA Cornell University, 2001
In the News
Flu is expected to flare up in US this winter, raising fears of a 'twindemic'
NPR, 09/23/2022
Most COVID transmission is still asymptomatic
ABC News, 05/11/2022
Whats our COVID-19 future? Heres what scientists say about summer, fall in Washington
The Seattle Times, 05/24/2021
Vaccine questions linger as Biden puts forth plan to tackle pandemic
WBUR, 01/15/2021
Existing vaccines should work against new coronavirus variants — for now
National Geographic, 01/15/2021
Dr. Helen Chu named Washingtonian of the Year
KIRO Radio, 01/08/2021
Courage in a climate of fear
Science Magazine, 11/04/2020
UW students are getting tested for coronavirus
KNKX, 09/28/2020
COVID chronicles: Three scientists race to track deadly pathogen in their city
NBC News, 09/25/2020
COVID-19 testing in King County homeless shelters shows need to create safer conditions in crowded settings
The Seattle Times, 09/15/2020