https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9823-5243Education
PhD, Pathobiology (Bacteriology), University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
MS, Pathobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
BS, Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
Postdoctoral Training
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Fellow , Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Biodefense Research Fellow , Virology, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northeast Area, Orient Point, NY, USA
Biography and Research Interests
Our immune systems walk a very fine line between health and harm, serving to protect us from pathogenic stimuli, but also, at unfortunate times, serving as the pathogenic stimuli themselves. While our immune systems have evolved to protect us from pathogens, pathogens have also continuously evolved mechanisms to evade these responses, often in ways that lead to immune mediated injury of the host, and exacerbation of disease. It is my professional opinion, therefore, that understanding how pathogens interact with their host is a crucial and irreplaceable first step in the pipeline to the development of safe and efficacious vaccines and therapeutics.
This opinion has served as the driver for my research interests, and the projects I have undertaken during my scientific career. My doctoral dissertation research focused on the interactions of Mycoplasma pneumoniae lipoproteins with the host. This work identified that immune responses induced by vaccination with these lipoproteins resulted in exacerbated disease following infection with M. pneumoniae, owing to the maladaptive recall responses induced by these antigens. My NIH-NRSA funded postdoctoral research involved two main projects: 1) identifying the specific functions of host mononuclear phagocytes, in particular monocytes and lung interstitial macrophages, and the roles they play during pulmonary inflammation that occurs during bacterial infection or allergic airway disease; and 2) identifying a novel and critical requirement for Natural Antibodies in the initiation of type 2 (allergic) inflammation in response to Damage Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs). I also trained at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center through an ORISE Biodefense Research Fellowship where I worked in a high containment (BLS-3) laboratory studying Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus (FMDV), a tier I select agent and high consequence veterinary pathogen.
I will be utilizing the experience I have gained throughout my training to delve into the intricate host-pathogen interactions that occur during Mycoplasma infections so that we may better understand how these interactions culminate in disease. The specific questions I will aim to answer are:
- How do human and animal pathogenic Mycoplasma species interact with host mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) to elicit protective or maladaptive immune responses?
- How do environmental factors such as diet, microbiome, environmental toxins and pollutants, stress etc., affect the phenotype of host MPs, and how does this affect vaccine efficacy or susceptibility to pathogenic Mycoplasmas?
- How do preexisting conditions (ie. chronic conditions, previous or concurrent infections, etc.) affect the phenotype of host MPs, and how does this influence vaccine efficacy and susceptibility pathogenic Mycoplasmas?
To learn more about the first few steps I have taken to achieve this goal, please visit my Academics page.