Ms. Sara Rooney

Biography

Sara Rooney is a skilled researcher specialising in zoonotic viral infections, with extensive experience in molecular biology, microbiology and virology. In 2025, Sara started in the Clinical Sceinces department, working on assay development for the testing of anti-viral compounds against Avian Influenza. Since 2026, she is working on developing and validating a Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) for Live Attenuated influenza Virus (LAIV). In 2021, she began her PhD at LSTM, focussed on studying the interactions between Usutu virus and the intracellular bacterium, Wolbachia pipientis. From 2019 to 2021, she worked as a Research Technician at The Pirbright Institute, focusing on transgenic mechanisms aimed at developing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that were refractory to viral infections.

Research interests

Sara’s research interests are focused on virology, specifically around emerging zoonotic viruses and developing systems for pandemic preparedness. She is committed to conducting meaningful clinical research, with an aim to reduce the impact of emerging infections, epidemics and pandemics. Sara has worked with a range of viruses include flaviviruses, alphaviruses, poxviruses and type A influenza viruses.

Sara has published research in journals such as Nature Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and American Society for Microbiology Journal of Virology.

Selected research publications

AePUb promoter length modulates gene expression in Aedes aegypti – Journal: Scientific Reports – Published: 21st November 2024

Mimicking superinfection exclusion disrupts alphavirus infection and transmission in the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti – Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America – Published: 1st January 2023

Optimizing CRE and PhiC31 mediated recombination in Aedes aegypti – Journal: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology – Published: 1st January 2023

The Acquisition and Retention of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus by Blood-Feeding Insects Is Influenced by the Source of Virus, the Insect Body Part, and the Time since Feeding – Journal: Journal of Virology – Published: 1st August 2022

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