Shelby Bradford

Immunology

West Virginia University

I’m a graduate student with a background immunology and microbiology. My current project investigates the role of an element of the newborn immune system, a cellular messenger called a cytokine, and how it influences responses to vaccines. I enjoy explaining how the complex systems of our cells and bodies work.

a pile of white and colored pills against a bright orange background

Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash  

Scientists must speak out against misinformation about "immune-boosting" supplements

Dietary supplements can be dangerous, despite what social media influencers say

Shelby Bradford
a red cell releasing small red particles toward a blue cell

Dror Eliaz on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Exosomes act as messengers and decoys to save healthy cells from viral infection

New research into how cells battle flu infection could point to new treatments

Shelby Bradford
A toddler smiling and receiving a vaccine

Heather Hazzan/SELF Magazine via Flickr

Empathy is key to overcoming COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

COVID-19 vaccines are an enormous feat. Their use will hinge on explaining how it was done

Shelby Bradford
a man and a woman wearing masks standing in front of a planet fitness

 Photo by Max Bender on Unsplash 

The immune systems of males and females respond to COVID-19 differently

Male patients had lower T cell responses, whereas female patients showed higher cytokines

Shelby Bradford