Research Interest: Immunology

PHD PROGRAM
Pathobiology & Translational Science

RESEARCH INTEREST
Cell Signaling, Genetic Basis of Disease, Hematology, Immunology, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

The broad goal in my laboratory is to investigate crosstalk between coagulation and inflammation in animal models of disease. My primary interest is sickle cell disease, a blood disorder caused by a hemoglobin mutation that results in sickling of red blood cells. The primary complications of sickle cell disease are anemia and vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), as well as chronic inflammation and coagulation activation. VOC is caused by the formation of multicellular aggregates between neutrophils, platelets, sickle red blood cells and the endothelium that is due, in part, to thrombin-dependent activation of protease activated receptor 1 (PAR-1). We are currently investigating how biased agonism of PAR1 with activated protein C (APC) can beneficially influence vaso-occlusive crisis and other pathologies in sickle cell disease. We use a variety of tools, such as transgenic mice, clinically relevant pharmacologic inhibitors, and molecular and cellular biology techniques to study the role of coagulation proteases and protease activated receptors in health and disease.

PHD PROGRAM
Biochemistry & Biophysics

RESEARCH INTEREST
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Evolutionary Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Virology

Our lab studies molecular interactions between bacteria and the viruses that infect them, called phage. For billions of years, phage and bacteria have been locked in a ‘molecular arms race’. To survive, bacteria have evolved many immune systems to protect against infection and, in response, phage have counter-adapted to evade these defenses. Our lab is interested in 1) understanding how these systems work biochemically and structurally and 2) discovering new factors involved in this ‘molecular arms race’. We are particularly interested in systems that share homology with human immune factors.

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Bacteriology, Immunology, Pathogenesis & Infection

“I hope to pursue research within the scope of pathogenic microbiology, focusing on host-pathogen interactions and what processes and conditions alter them. Specifically, virulence and antimicrobial resistance are two of my major areas of interest.”

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Cancer Biology, Immunology, Virology

“I am broadly interested in virology. Specifically, I hope to investigate intercellular communications during viral life cycles. I am also interested in utilizing tools like cryogenic electron microscopy to study virion and viral membrane protein structures. In the meantime, I am very much open to other topics in the field, as well as in cancer biology and biochemistry.”

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Cardiovascular Biology, Immunology, Neurobiology, Stem Cells

“I am fascinated by the field of stem cell biology. The great potential and ground-breaking findings it presents motivate me to further investigate the mechanisms of how stem cells communicate with their environment and how they integrate signals to differentiate.”

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Cancer Biology, Drug Discovery, Immunology, Metabolism

“To build on my experience studying the metabolism of pancreatic islets at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, I am eager to continue studying cell stress and metabolism, specifically in the context of disease. As such, I am interested in cancer metabolism, and how different metabolic vulnerabilities can be exploited to target cancer cells. As part of this interest, cancer immunology also fascinates me due to its promise of specifically targeting cancer cells with the deleterious effects on other somatic cells caused by many current chemotherapeutic treatments. My experience working on drug discovery in the muscular dystrophy space at Fulcrum Therapeutics has also given me an appreciation for the value of characterizing pharmacological compounds and their mechanisms of action, especially in the context of cancer biology.”

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Immunology, Neurobiology, Translational Medicine

“I’m interested in a variety of research topics pertaining to neurodegeneration. In particular I desire to expand our understanding of environmental factors that influence the onset of age related dementias. I’m fascinated by asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, particularly what neuroprotective factors maintain cognitive function in these individuals with full plaque and tau pathology. Furthermore, I’m intrigued by lipids, fungi, and mental illness and their roles in neurodegeneration.”

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Bacteriology, Bioinformatics, Immunology

“My background and previous work are in bacteriology and immunology. While I would like to further my understanding on these topics, I am also interested in learning more about bioinformatics and its application related to my interests.”

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Cancer Biology, Immunology, Immunotoxicology, Toxicology

“I would love to work on a Immunotoxicology project, like how different types of exposures to xenobiotics could suppress the immune cells and result in tumor development and cancer. Recently I got interested in the effects of lifestyle (diet, alcohol consumption, sleeping rhythms, etc) or even exposures to different materials (like PFAS) could affect the immune cells and the final result of Immunotherapy in cancer patients.”

PHD PROGRAM

RESEARCH INTEREST
Cancer Biology, Immunology, Translational Medicine

“I am interested in the interaction between the tumor microenvironment and the immune cells, looking into strategies to avoid or overcome immunosuppression. I am also interested in researching ways to make available immunotherapies more effective depending on the tumor microenvironment ( as it varies depending on the type of cancer.) I would like to work in a translational lab where I have access to patient samples and clinical trials (bench to bedside, and from the bed back to the bench).”