Dr. Markmann’s Lab, Center for Transplantation Sciences- Focused on research about mechanisms of B cell-dependent transplantation tolerance and regulatory B cell therapy- Designed and executed in vivo and in vitro studies of cell-mediated immunity in murine transplant models including islet and skin transplantation- Participated in the quality test of stem cell-derived human islets for transplantation in non-human primates- Played a role in the process of human/non-human primate pancreatic islet isolation and human hepatocytes isolation- Managed laboratory including supervision of technicians, Co-op college/ Ph.D. students, and maintenance of rodent facility- Participated in writing manuscripts for publication

Mentor: James F. Markmann, MD, PhD, Chief of Transplant Surgery- Focused on understanding of immunomoduatory mechanisms induced by therapeutic reagents for treatment of autoimmune disease and transplantation - Played a critical role in the description of the cellular events involved in the modulation of immune responses by monoclonal antibodies, typically anti-CD45RB and anti-TIM1 antibodies- Provided direct evidence of the role of B lymphocytes in tolerance induction to allografts and its contribution to the acceptance of pancreatic islets in diabetic rodent model- Performed innovative cell-therapies using ethylene carbodiimide (ECDI)-fixed donor cells and regulatory B cells to promote graft acceptance- Participated in the quality test of encapsulated human islets for the treatment of type 1 diabetes - Tested diverse therapeutic agents: monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD45RB, anti-CD20, anti-CD22, anti-TIM1, anti-TIM4, anti-CD154, anti-CD25, anti-NK1.1 anti-IL10, and anti-TGFβ), siRNA, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β inhibitor, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI)- Led projects with products of 3 first-authored manuscripts and published 4 co-authored papers by supporting colleagues in the lab and 4 co-authored papers by collaborating with other labs- Provided scientific knowledge and technical skills to 4 summer medical students in The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) programHonors & Awards2011-2013: NIH Postdoctoral Kirschstein-National Research Service Award (5T32AI7529)2013: Young Innovator Award, AST Cutting Edge of Transplantation 2013: Trainee Poster Award, American Associate of Immunologists 2011: Young Investigator Award, AST Annual Scientific Exchange

Mentor: Scott Laster, PhD, Professor in Dept. of Microbiology- Developed recombinant viral membrane protein vaccines against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) using the baculovirus expression system- Performed purification of many mgs of recombinant proteins for vaccines to treat pigs- Investigated the efficacy of vaccines against PRRSV and identified mechanisms responsible for protective immunity in vaccinated animals- Studied the role of Runx1 transcriptional factor in T cell development

Mentor: Byung-il Yeh, MD, Associate Professor in Dept of Biochemistry and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences- Investigated the effect of nucleotide variation in the hypervariable region of the hepatitis C virus on interferon-alpha therapy