1998 – 2003 Ph.D. Cell and Molecular Biology (Immunology). University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.
Thesis: The Two Faces of Interleukin-6 on T helper 1/2 Differentiation
1994-1998 B.S. Biology (Chemistry minor), State University of New York at Geneseo, Geneseo, New York
Human Immunology, Vaccine Development
The overarching goal of my research is to define signaling mechanisms that control human T and B cell function in both normal and dysfunctional (i.e. chronic inflammation) states. We study this in the context of in vivo human vaccine responses as well as in defined in vitro culture settings. Through the use of relevant culture models and retroviral delivery of stable genetic modifications we can dissect the molecular mechanisms involved in human T and B cell differentiation and acquisition of effector function. This work is done with a focus on neglected infectious diseases and global health. Current projects aim to 1) understand immunological basis for oral vaccine failure in the context of malnourishment and 2) Cellular and humoral immune responses to vaccination with live-attenuated formulations of Dengue virus (DENV), a vector-borne virus endemic to nearly half the world’s population.
2014 Faculty, University of Vermont Cellular and Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program
2013 - Present, Graduate College Faculty, University of Vermont
2011 – Present, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medicine, University of Vermont
1997, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Biology, SUNY Geneseo, NY
OPP1104710 (Durbin, PI)Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 02/01/2015 – 01/31/2018 The dengue human infection model: Defining correlates of protection and advancing vaccine development. Objective: To define immunological correlates of protection in a dengue human infection model. Role: consortium co-PI
OPP1127782 (PI, Kirkpatrick) 04/01/2015 – 03/30/2018
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Improving Rotavirus Vaccination: Refining Correlates of Protection and Evaluating Durability.Objective: To conduct specific study analysis to identify/verify rotavirus correlates of protection. Role: Co-PI.
HHSN272200900010C (Karon, PI; Kirkpatrick, UVM site PI) 04/08/2010 – 12/31/2015
NIH/NIAID Intramural Research Program Operation of a Facility for the Study of Infectious Agents, Vaccines and Antimicrobials in Adult and Pediatric Human Subjects. UVM Site objective: Conduct Phase I/II safety and immunogenicity trials for flavivirus (Dengue, West Nile Virus) vaccine candidates. Role: UVM Vaccine Testing Center Laboratory
2012, 2015 NIH Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program Award
2015 University of Vermont Honors College Faculty Seminar
2015 Travel fellowship, 12th International Double Stranded RNA Symposium, Goa, India
2013 UVM College of Medicine Grant workshop scholarship.
2002 University of Vermont Graduate College Mini Travel Grant
2000 Tuition Scholarship, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Course, Eurkaryotic Gene Transcription
Sean A. Diehl*, Benjamin McElvany, Rajkumar Noubade, Nathan Seeburger, Brock Harding, Karen Spach, and Cory Teuscher (2014) G proteins G?i1/3 are Critical targets for Bordetella pertussis toxin- induced vasoactive amine sensitization. Infection and Immunity 82(2):773-82. *corresponding author.
Daniela Weiskopf, Michael A. Angelo, Derek J. Bangs, John Sidney, Sinu Paul, Bjoern Peters, Aruna D. de Silva, Janet C. Lindow, Sean A. Diehl, Stephen Whitehead, Anna Durbin, Beth Kirkpatrick, and Alessandro Sette? (2015) The human CD8+ T cell responses induced by a live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine are directed against highly conserved epitopes. J. Virology, 89(1):120-8.? PMCID: PMC4301095
Beth D. Kirkpatrick, Anna P. Durbin, Kristen K. Pierce, Marya P. Carmolli, C. Tibery, P. Grier, Noreen Hynes, Daniel Elwood, Adrienne P. Jarvis, Beulah Sabundayo, Caroline E. Lyon, Catherine J. Larsson, Matthew Jo, Janece Lovchik, C. Luke, Mary-Clare Walsh, Sean A. Diehl, Kanta Subbarao, and Stephen S. Whitehead. (2015) Robust and balanced immune responses to all four dengue serotypes following a single dose of a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine administered to healthy flavivirus-naïve adults. Journal of Infectious Diseases Mar 22. pii: jiv082. [Epub ahead of print]
Beth D Kirkpatrick, E Ross Colgate, Josyf C Mychaleckyj, Rashidul Haque, Dorothy M Dickson, Marya P Carmolli, Uma Nayak, Mami Taniuchi, Caitlin Naylor, Firdausi Qadri, Jennie Z Ma, Masud Alam, Mary Claire Walsh, Sean A Diehl, the PROVIDE study teams, William A Petri Jr. (2015) The “Performance of Rotavirus and Oral Polio Vaccines In Developing Countries” (PROVIDE) Study: Description of Methods of an Interventional Study Designed to Explore Complex Biologic Problems. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 92(4):744-51.
Rui Yang, Dario Lirussi, Tina M. Thornton, Dawn M. Jelley-Gibbs, Phani ?Gummadidala, Sean A. Diehl, Laure K. Case, Brian Silverstrim, Muniswamy Madesh, ?Douglas J. Taatjes, John J. O’Shea, Cory Teuscher, Laura Haynes, Mercedes Rincón? (2015). Mitochondrial Ca2+ and membrane potential, an alternative pathway for interleukin 6 to regulate CD4 cell effector function. Elife. 2015 May 14;4. doi: 10.7554/eLife.06376. [Epub ahead of print].
Beth D. Kirkpatrick, Stephen S. Whitehead, Kristen K. Pierce, Cecilia M. Tibery, Palmtama L. Grier, Noreen A. Hynes, Catherine J. Larsson, Beulah P. Sabundayo, Kawsar R. Talaat, Anna Janiak, Janece M. Lovchik, Catherine Luke, Sean A. Diehl, and Anna P. Durbin (2016) The live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine TV003 elicits complete protection against dengue virus serotype 2 in a dengue human infection model. Science Translational Medicine 16 Mar 2016:Vol. 8, Issue 330, pp. 330ra36
Rincon M, Carbone G, Wilson A, Diehl SA, Bunn JY, and SM Cooper (2013) Interleukin-6 receptor blockade selectively reduces IL-21 production by CD4+ T cells and IgG4 autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis. Int. J. Biol. Sci.; 9(3): 279-288.
Diehl SA*, Schmidlin H, Nagasawa M, Blom B, and H Spits. (2012) IL-6 triggers IL-21 production by human CD4+ T cells to drive STAT3-dependent plasma cell differentiation in B cells. Immunology and Cell Biology 90(8):802-11 *corresponding author.
Becker PD, Legrand N, van Geelen CMM, Noerder M, Huntington ND, Lim A, Yasuda E, Diehl SA, Scheeren FA, Ott M, Weijer K, Wedemeyer H, Di Santo JP, Beaumont T, Guzman CA, and H Spits. (2010) Generation of Human Antigen-Specific Monoclonal IgM Antibodies Using Vaccinated "Human Immune System" Mice. PLoS ONE. Oct 4; 5(10). pii: e13137.
Kwakkenbos MJ*, Diehl SA*, Yasuda E, Bakker AQ, van Geelen CM, Lukens MV, van Bleek GM, Widjojoatmodjo MN, Bogers WMJM, Mei H, Radbruch A, Scheeren FA, Spits H, and T Beaumont (2010) Generation of stable monoclonal antibody-producing B cell receptor-positive human memory B cells by genetic programming. Nature Medicine 16 (1): 123-128. *equal contribution.
Schmidlin H*, Diehl SA*, and B Blom. (2009) New insights in the regulation of human B cell differentiation (review). Trends In Immunology 30(6): 277-285. *equal contribution.
Schmidlin H, Diehl SA, Nagasawa M, Scheeren FA, Schotte R, Uittenbogaart CH, Spits H, and B Blom. Spi-B inhibits human plasma cell differentiation by repressing expression of BLIMP1 and XBP-1 (2008), Blood 112(5): 1804-1812.
Diehl SA, Schmidlin H, Nagasawa M, Kwakkenbos M, Yasuda E, Beaumont T, Scheeren FA, and H Spits. STAT3-mediated BLIMP1 upregulation is coordinated with BCL6 downregulation to control human plasma cell differentiation (2008) J.Immunol. 180: 4805-4815.
Scheeren FA, Diehl SA, Smit LA, Beaumont T, Naspetti M, Bende RJ, Blom B, Karube K, Ohshima K, van Noesel CJ, and H Spits. (2008) IL-21 is expressed in Hodgkin Lymphoma and activates STAT5; evidence that activated STAT5 is required for Hodgkin Lymphomagenesis. Blood 111(9) 4706-4715.
Scheeren FA*, Naspetti M*, Diehl S, Schotte R, Nagasawa M, Wijnands E, Gimeno R, Vyth-Dreese FA, Blom B, and H Spits (2005) STAT5 regulates the self-renewal capacity and differentiation of human memory B cells and controls Bcl-6 expression. Nat.Immunol. 6:303-313 *equal contribution.
2013 Member, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
2013 – Member, Infecious Disease Society of America
2008 – Member, American Association of Immunologists
2005 – 2008 Member, Dutch Immunology Society
2000 – Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science