Headshot of Kafi Belfon

Kafi Belfon

Headshot of Kafi Belfon

Research/Areas of Interest

My project aims to elucidate the structure of the Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV)
primosome and how its subunits interact to drive viral DNA replication. Structural and
biochemical analysis of the three protein component complex will clarify why KSHV is resistant to
Herpes simplex virus-1 helicase-primase inhibitors. These insights will guide efforts to design
KSHV-specific or broad-spectrum antivirals.

Advisor: Aaron Mendez, PhD

Education

PhD, Biochemistry and Structural Biology, State University of New York-Stony Brook, Long Island, New York


BSc. Biochemistry, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados