Ekaterina Maidji, PhD
Professional Researcher
Ekaterina (Katya) Maidji (she/her/hers) grew up in Ukraine and Russia and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Moscow, former USSR. After completing her PhD training in Biology/Biological Sciences, she came to the United States for postdoctoral training in Dr. Lenore Pereira’s laboratory at the University of California San Francisco to study human cytomegalovirus. Extensive work with Dr. Lenore Pereira and Dr. Susan Fisher investigating cytomegalovirus spread in the human placenta allowed Ekaterina to become an accomplished virologist and cell biologist with highly specialized expertise in cell-to-cell transmission of human cytomegalovirus in polarized epithelial and endothelial cells. After joining Dr. Cheryl Stoddart’s laboratory in the Division of Experimental Medicine at ZSFG, Ekaterina expanded her interests to studies of cytomegalovirus in the context of HIV infection in polarized cells and organ tissues ex vivo and in vivo. Ekaterina has also developed extensive expertise in high-resolution microscopy and single-cell quantitative image analysis. Her current research with Dr. Vasquez focuses on applying these powerful tissue-based techniques to explore how various human pathogens, including HIV and TB, establish persistent reservoirs in the lung.
Outside of the lab, Ekaterina enjoys spending time with her family at the park or near the ocean, at San Francisco’s fine art museums or at great performances.
Outside of the lab, Ekaterina enjoys spending time with her family at the park or near the ocean, at San Francisco’s fine art museums or at great performances.