Lexington, Kentucky, United States
I am a translational immunology scientist with research expertise in infectious disease, host-pathogen interactions, and immune-based therapeutic development. At the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, I study chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection, with a focus on CD8+ T cell immunity, parasite persistence, and parasite-derived vaccine antigens and adjuvants with applications in cancer immunotherapy. My experience includes PBMC-based immune assays, macrophage and T cell studies, flow cytometry, cytokine profiling, qPCR, tissue immunostaining, and preclinical mouse models of infection and cancer. I am seeking R&D Scientist roles in infectious disease, immunology, and oncology where I can help advance translational discovery and therapeutic innovation.
• Investigating the sirtuin-mediated regulation of macrophage and T-cell function during HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection using primary human PBMC-derived cultures, assessing effects on activation, polarization, and disease-relevant outcomes. • Breeding, generating, and characterizing humanized-mouse colonies (engraftment efficiency and immune cells reconstitution).
• Conducted research on GRA6 from T. gondii, identifying it as a potential immunization target against chronic infection. • Investigated the role of GRA3 in maintaining tissue cysts during chronic infection, focusing on CD8⁺ T cell responses. • Assessed the effects of ICOS and CXCL10 on CD8⁺ T cell functionality, contributing to a deeper understanding of chronic T. gondii infection. • Developed a T. gondii-derived protein as an adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy in murine models, enhancing therapeutic strategies.