Christina Leyson, BS, MS, PhD
- Assistant Professor

Education

BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Diliman, 2008
MS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Diliman, 2011
PhD Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, 2016

Biography

Dr. Christina Leyson is a molecular virologist with a special focus on respiratory RNA viruses of avian species. She has a particular interest in virus pathogenesis, host adaptation, and evolution. Her ultimate goal is to share her love of viruses with everyone and to create a positive impact on human and animal health using virological research. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in molecular biology and biotechnology from the University of the Philippines Diliman and a PhD degree in infectious diseases from the University of Georgia. Her postdoctoral work at Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory has been mainly focused on H5 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and their pathobiology in major poultry species: chickens, turkeys, and ducks. Prior to joining Auburn University, she worked as a staff scientist at Emory University, where they studied within-host virus dynamics of seasonal human influenza viruses.

Research Interests

• Avian RNA and respiratory viruses
• Pathogensis
• Host adaptation and virus evolution