Bone is a dynamic and complex organ whose integrity is controlled by the interaction of many cell types, including osteoclasts which remove bone and osteoblasts which build it. A major area of interest is how bone cells interact with foreign invaders – in the form of tumor cells or microbes – focusing on the host as a potential therapeutic target. Currently, we study infection of bone with S. aureus, the most common organism in human osteomyelitis, particularly focusing on interactions of this bacterium with cells of the myeloid lineage including osteoclasts. Our focus on tumor-bone interactions is acute T cell leukemia (ATL), a rare but interesting malignancy caused by infection with HTLV-1 virus. We use a combination of disease models, genetic mouse models, and in vitro cultures, providing a broad range of potential research projects as well as diverse technical approaches. Most of our projects are collaborative, taking advantage of the wealth of expertise in the Washington University Musculoskeletal Research Center. The research opportunities, combined with personalized mentorship, provide a positive environment in which to develop as a scientist. 

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I am interested in mentoring undergraduates, post-bac students, graduate students, postdocs, or residents and fellows with appropriate interests in bone, infection, and/or cancer. The Musculoskeletal Research Center, in which the Veis lab is located, provides a rich training environment to complement experiences within the lab, including many active collaborations.