The goal of my research is to optimize allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT ) for the treatment of hematopoietic malignancies. The current clinical goal in allo-HSCT is to separate graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a life-threatening complication, from a beneficial graft-versus-leukemia effect (GvL) following allo-HSCT. My primary research interest is to understand the role of IFNGR and IL6R signaling and downstream JAK-STAT in GvHD and GvL using mouse models. These include T cell trafficking to GVHD target organs, regulation of regulatory T cells, and the novel GvHD suppressor molecules, S100A8 and S100A9, downstream of IFNGR and IL6R. My research also focuses on developing novel therapeutic strategies for GvHD by targeting IFNGR, IL6R, and/or JAK-STAT.

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A fuller understanding of scientific truth requires diverse approaches and perspectives as each approach and perspective has strengths and limitations. In order to achieve the goals of the research program described above, we employ diverse approaches, which help students and postdocs be equipped as independent scientists. These include hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (mouse-to-mouse and human PBMC-to-mouse), solid organ transplantation (skin and heart), intestinal organoids, unbiased genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens, flow cytometry, and proteomics (mass spectrometry).

All members of the school regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability are welcome to my lab. In order to see something in all its dimensions, I believe, we need more than one perspective. We are committed to learning from each other and striving for inclusive excellence.

I understand that people construct their own way of learning by experiencing things and then reflecting on those experiences. Thus, as a mentor, I pose questions and problems and then guide students and postdocs to help them find their own answers. In addition to diverse approaches and perspectives, communication is a key to success. I have weekly, or daily if needed, meetings one-on-one with students and postdocs to help them create their own knowledge based on what they know and what is newly seen.