My name is Susan John, and I am a postdoctoral fellow at the New Iberia Primate Research Center. I transitioned into the field of animal and viral immunology about three years ago, after previously working in plant biology. During that time, I contributed to two flight studies—MicroBiotube and PH-02 (APH)—which investigated the effects of high-gradient magnetic fields and the space environment on plant growth and development.

Currently, my research focuses on host–pathogen immunology, with a particular interest in the blood–brain barrier (BBB). I culture primary cells, including endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes derived from monkey brain tissue, and co-culture them in in-vitro transwell BBB assays to evaluate the passage of therapeutic antibodies and to detect SIV reservoirs in the brain. Looking ahead, I am especially interested in extending this work by bringing NHP-derived cells into space to study how the space environment impacts BBB function and therapeutic delivery. I am also deeply interested in exploring how nutrition influences astronaut health in space.