Yale School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases

The Ko Laboratory is dedicated to fighting the burden of infectious diseases globally

Yale School of Public Health

Based in New Haven, CT, the Ko Laboratory at Yale School of Public Health is part of the Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases Department. It serves as the primary base for Dr. Albert I. Ko and many post-docs, students, and lab members, supporting both local and global projects.

Fiocruz Bahia

The Ko Laboratory at Fiocruz Bahia in Salvador, Brazil works closely with the Pau da Lima community to study infectious disease dynamics and has been at the forefront of emerging global health crises, such as Zika and leptospirosis.

Yale School of Public Health

Based in New Haven, CT, the Ko Laboratory at Yale School of Public Health is part of the Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases Department. It serves as the primary base for Dr. Albert I. Ko and many post-docs, students, and lab members, supporting both local and global projects.

Yale School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases

The Ko Laboratory is dedicated to fighting the burden of infectious diseases globally

Our Mission

The Ko Laboratory is dedicated to advancing global health by investigating the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases that disproportionately affect marginalized urban populations. Through interdisciplinary research integrating epidemiology, ecology, and translational science, the lab aims to understand how factors such as rapid urbanization, social inequity, and climate influence disease dynamics in underprivileged communities. By developing and implementing community-based interventions, the Ko Laboratory strives to mitigate the impact of diseases like leptospirosis, dengue, Zika virus infection, and COVID-19, ultimately contributing to healthier and more equitable societies.

Our Focus

Vector-Borne Disease
Our research addresses the rising global burden of mosquito-borne viruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya—exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, and social inequity—by advancing diagnostics, vaccine strategies, and vector control to protect the most vulnerable populations.
Leptospirosis
Our research investigates how environmental degradation, climate variability, and social inequities drive disease transmission in vulnerable urban populations, with a focus on improving diagnostics, understanding transmission dynamics, and implementing community-based interventions in high-risk areas like Salvador, Brazil.
SARS-CoV-2
Our research investigates the epidemiology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Connecticut, focusing on vaccine efficacy, protection correlates, viral spread in vulnerable populations, and the emergence of new variants—collaborating across sectors to inform public health policy and future outbreak responses.
GHES: Global Health Emerging
Scholar Program

Lab News

Dr. Albert Ko on How We Use Science to Protect People from Epidemics

Ko spoke during Science Saturdays at Yale, an award-winning lecture series designed for families that brings the excitement of research and the passion of scientists to the community.

Albert Ko speaks on reopening Connecticut

Ko speaks with Yale News about the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and strategies for reopening the state.

Albert Ko appointed Raj and Indra Nooyi Professor of Public Health

Ko’s research has yielded critical insights into the health consequences of rapid urbanization and social inequity.

Elisabeth Nelson was featured in the EMD Student Spotlight

Elisabeth is a 3rd year PhD candidate in the Ko lab, whose research focuses on optimizing Wolbachia-based dengue control programs in Brazil to ensure their effective and equitable implementation as they are scaled up across Brazil and globally.

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Masters of Public Health students, Karthika Satyanarayanan, Sebastian Salazar, and Michael Elhardt present their thesis research at EMD Research Day

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Pablo Aguilar, Paloma Cárcamo, and Elisabeth Nelson present their research at the Pan American Dengue Research Network conference in Medellín, Colombia

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Pablo Aguilar, Paloma Cárcamo, and Elisabeth Nelson present their research at the Pan American Dengue Research Network conference in Medellín, Colombia

The Lab in Action

1

Pau da Lima Cohort
The Pau da Lima Cohort is a long-term, community-based cohort research initiative in a Brazilian urban informal settlement that uses multidisciplinary methods—including serological studies, surveys, and environmental monitoring—to investigate and address infectious disease transmission, social determinants of health, and guide public health interventions in underserved settings.

2

Vector-Borne Diseases
Our research addresses the rising global burden of mosquito-borne viruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya—exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, and social inequity—by advancing diagnostics, vaccine strategies, and vector control to protect the most vulnerable populations.

3

Leptospirosis
Our research investigates how environmental degradation, climate variability, and social inequities drive disease transmission in vulnerable urban populations, with a focus on improving diagnostics, understanding transmission dynamics, and implementing community-based interventions in high-risk areas like Salvador, Brazil.

4

SARS-CoV-2
Our research investigates the epidemiology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in Connecticut, focusing on vaccine efficacy, protection correlates, viral spread in vulnerable populations, and the emergence of new variants—collaborating across sectors to inform public health policy and future outbreak responses.