 Optimized a 3D intestinal mouse enteroid model system to obtain repeatable results for the study the Type II immune response during parasitic helminth infection Applied this model to support in vivo evidence that the PGD2/CRTH2 signaling pathway plays a suppressive role in intestinal epithelial cells during helminth infection Currently working with three graduate students on separate projects related to iron storage/metabolism, PGD2/CRTH2 signaling mechanism, and effects of Notch signaling in basophils/T-cell interaction during parasitic worm infection Currently working on individual project examining the role of Klf4 in PGD2/CRTH2 signaling circuit during helminth infection  Maintain day-to-day laboratory operations by ordering supplies/reagents, staying current with EHS regulations, and training/mentoring fellow lab members

 Developed and optimized a procedure for the isolation, purification, and culture of primary KCs and LSECs to study ricin toxin uptake pathways and monoclonal antibody neutralization Demonstrated that KCs and LSECs have unidentified uptake pathways for ricin Established that ricin toxin is neutralized with individual mAbs/VHHs in KCs, but only with mAb/VHH cocktails in LSECs

 Constructed a 3D in vitro co-culture model to reprogram triple negative human breast cancer using the embryonic stem cell microenvironment Co-cultured human breast cancer cells were reprogrammed to a less aggressive phenotype as demonstrated by their decreased proliferation, invasion, migration, EMT, and reliance on glycolysis

 Developed and executed a protocol to differentiate ESCs into brown adipocytes within a 3D in vitro model system which led to filing a patent disclosure.