Predicting severe illness and long-term effects after Lassa, Ebola, or COVID-19

Project 1

NIH-funded research Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11289311

This project uses blood tests and computer learning to find patterns that predict who will become very sick or develop lasting problems after Lassa fever, Ebola, or COVID‑19.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionScripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11289311 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would join one of several groups of people in West Africa or the United States who are at risk for, currently infected with, or have survived Lassa, Ebola, or COVID‑19. Researchers will collect clinical information, blood samples, and vaccine response data to measure immune responses, antibodies, and metabolic changes. They will combine those measurements into large datasets and use machine‑learning tools to find biological signatures linked to severe disease, ongoing infection, or long‑term symptoms. The goal is to turn those signatures into better ways to diagnose, treat, and manage people after these viral infections.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates include people in West Africa or the United States who are at risk for, currently infected with, or recovering from Lassa virus, Ebola virus, or SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID‑19), including vaccine trial participants and survivors.

Not a fit: People without Lassa, Ebola, or COVID‑19 (or who are not able or willing to give clinical data or samples) are unlikely to directly benefit from participating in this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help doctors predict who is likely to need extra care, improve follow‑up for survivors, and guide vaccine use to prevent reactivation or long‑term problems.

How similar studies have performed: Related systems‑immunology and machine‑learning studies have identified useful signatures in COVID‑19 and Ebola before, but combining multiple viruses, cohorts, and long‑term follow‑up is a newer, broader effort.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.