Research Interest: Autoimmune Disorders

PHD PROGRAM
Pathobiology & Translational Science

RESEARCH INTEREST
Autoimmune Disorders, Disease, Human Subjects Research, Immunology, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, Pathology, Translational Medicine

My research focuses on understanding the immunological underpinnings of autoimmune disease, specifically anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA) vasculitis. We examine CD4+ T cells in the context of disease onset, remission, relapse, and long-term remission off therapy. By studying both autoreactive T cells and regulatory T cells, we aim to create biomarkers of disease activity and potential new targets for immunotherapy.

PHD PROGRAM
Cell Biology & Physiology

RESEARCH INTEREST
Autoimmune Disorders, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Cell Signaling, Diabetes, Physiology, Signal Transduction, Translational Medicine

My research focuses on signal transduction, proteins posttranslational modification, and protein/protein interaction under varieties of stress/disease conditions. One of my major research areas is vascular smooth muscle signal transduction under hyperglycemic and oxidative stress conditions. Most recently, regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells phenotypic switch under hyperglycemic/uremic conditions was funded by NIH. In addition, I investigate autoantigens that are responsible for autoimmune diseases, such as MCD/FSGS, which make the precise diagnosis and individualized treatment plan possible.