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Rebecca LR Powell, PhD
img_Rebecca Lr Powell
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Medicine, Infectious Diseases
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Immunology & Immunotherapy
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Research Topics
Antibody Development, B Cells, Coronavirus, HIV/AIDS, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Influenza Virus, Microbiology, Mucosal Immunology, Vaccine Development, Viruses and Virology
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Immunology [IMM], Microbiology [MIC]
Understanding the human milk immune response to infection and vaccination, and ultimately, to design maternal vaccines aimed to enhance this response
We currently have several active projects aimed to fill knowledge gaps about human milk immunology and the milk immune response to infectious disease and vaccination: 1) Fc-mediated antibody function against HIV by relevant primary cells, with particular focus on antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) by human milk leukocytes and its role in minimizing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV via breastfeeding 2) Collaborative work with the Microbiology department to analyze the human milk immune response to seasonal influenza vaccination 3) Comprehensive assessment of SARS-CoV-2-reactive antibodies in human milk to determine their potential as a COVID-19 therapeutic and as a means to prevent infection of breastfed babies 4) Verification and assessment of an entero-mammary immunological link in Rhesus Macaques in order to provide critical data for designing maternal vaccines to eliminate mother-to-child-transmission of HIV via breastfeeding All project descriptions can be read about on the R. Powell Lab webpage (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/rebecca-powell-lab/)
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Publications

Selected Publications

Unique Kinetics of the Human Milk Antibody Response to JYNNEOS Vaccine for Prevention of Monkey Pox: A Case Study. Xiaoqi Yang, Alisa Fox, Claire DeCarlo, Rebecca L.R. Powell. Breastfeeding Medicine

Associations between SARS-CoV-2 Infection or COVID-19 Vaccination and Human Milk Composition: A Multi-Omics Approach. Sneha P. Couvillion, Ernesto S. Nakayasu, Bobbie Jo M. Webb-Robertson, Isabella H. Yang, Josie G. Eder, Carrie D. Nicora, Lisa M. Bramer, Yuqian Gao, Alisa Fox, Claire DeCarlo, Xiaoqi Yang, Mowei Zhou, Ryan M. Pace, Janet E. Williams, Mark A. McGuire, Michelle K. McGuire, Thomas O. Metz, Rebecca LR Powell. Journal of Nutrition

In vivo antiviral efficacy of LCTG-002, a pooled, purified human milk secretory IgA product, against SARS-CoV-2 in a murine model of COVID-19. Viraj Mane, Rikin Mehta, Nadine Alvarez, Vijeta Sharma, Steven Park, Alisa Fox, Claire DeCarlo, Xiaoqi Yang, David S. Perlin, Rebecca L.R. Powell. Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics

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Annenberg Building Floor 23 Room 23-50 [Lab]

1468 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10029

Annenberg Building Floor 23 Room 23-64 [office]

1468 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10029

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Powell during 2024 and/or 2025. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Consulting or Other Professional Services Examples include, but are not limited to, committee participation, data safety monitoring board (DSMB) membership

  • Lactiga

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.