Dr. Kielian studies viruses surrounded by lipid membranes containing viral proteins. They include the disease-causing, mosquito-borne alphaviruses such as chikungunya and flaviviruses such as dengue, Zika, and West Nile.

Dr. Kielian investigates how these enveloped viruses enter host cells, replicate, and then exit to infect other cells. Molecular studies of the entry and exit mechanisms required by these viruses can lead to targeted antiviral therapies.