Immunology and Immunotherapy Faculty

Margaret E. Ackerman, Ph.D.

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Margaret Ackerman

Professor of Engineering, and Microbiology and Immunology

Thayer School of Engineering

Office: 119B Cummings Hall


Phone: 603-646-9922

The Ackerman laboratory conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface of biomedical and engineering sciences: developing high throughput tools to evaluate the antibody response in disease states ranging from infection to cancer in order to aid in therapeutic antibody and vaccine design and development, and to understand the protective mechanism of antibodies using approaches grounded in fundamental engineering principles utilizing protein evolution, molecular biology, and mathematical modeling.

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Alix Ashare, M.D., Ph.D.

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Alix Ashare

Associate Professor of Medicine, and Microbiology and Immunology

Office:  Borwell 508E

Phone:  603-650-5533

My research focuses on the role of lung macrophages in the development and persistence of inflammation in the lung. A major focus of my laboratory is the investigation of potential mechanisms underlying regional heterogeneity of lung inflammation in patients with inflammatory lung diseases, with an emphasis on the investigation of differences in alveolar macrophage function in patients with cystic fibrosis and asthma. Our work involves primary human immune cells isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis and asthma, as well as healthy volunteers and chronic smokers. Currently, my laboratory is particularly interested in how the lung environment impacts resident and recruited macrophage phenotype and function and how these changes in the immune cell may contribute to the non-resolving inflammation seen in patients with CF. In addition to our work in inflammatory lung diseases such as CF, we are investigating the relationship between impaired lipid homeostasis in lung macrophages and viral immunity in individuals who use electronic cigarettes.

Email | Website | PubMed 

James B. Bliska, Ph.D.

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James Bliska

Distinguished Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 524A Remsen

Phone: 603-
646-5346

My long-term research focus is to understand how bacterial effectors that are secreted into leukocytes trigger pathogenesis or host protection. We study a professional pathogen (Yersinia) that causes disease in healthy humans and two opportunistic pathogens (Burkholderia, Pseudomonas) that cause airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis. The laboratory uses a multidisciplinary approach including genetics, structural biology, cell biology and immunology. Our goals are to answer important questions in the field and inform new strategies for preventing or treating bacterial infections caused by these pathogens.

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Jennifer Bomberger, Ph.D.

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Bomberger

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Geisel School of Medicine

Office:  507A Vail

Phone:  

My laboratory's research examines the interaction between bacterial and viral pathogens in the respiratory tract, particularly in the setting of chronic lung diseases, like Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Current studies in the lab are focused on elucidating molecular mechanisms that govern the innate immune induction of biofilm growth in the lung. Translating the laboratory's bench studies to the bedside, our team collaborates with physicians in Otolaryngology and Pulmonary Medicine to examine viral-bacterial interactions in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of patients with chronic lung disease. We use a combination of live-cell imaging, microbiological, cell biological and cutting-edge genomics approaches with the long-term goal of identifying new therapeutic targets to disrupt and/or prevent the chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections that are so devastating to people with CF.

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David J. Bzik, Ph.D.

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Bzik

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 654E Borwell

Phone: 603-646-5348

We are interested in understanding how the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii manipulates the mammalian host cell to ensure it's successful replication and triggering of host responses required for development and transmission. Our interests are the biological intersections of host-parasite interaction, pathogenesis, and immunity, while our goals are the development new drug therapies and vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer.

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Robert A. Cramer, Ph.D.

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Robert A. Cramer

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 213 Remsen

Phone: 603-646-5352

Our research group investigates the molecular mechanisms through which the human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus causes disease in diverse patient populations. We utilize molecular genetics, genomics, biochemistry, microscopy, immunology, and animal model approaches to develop, explore, and test our clinically relevant questions and hypotheses regarding these too often lethal infections.
 Our long-term goal is to translate results from these studies into novel therapeutic advances.

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Tyler J. Curiel

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Tyler J. Curiel

Professor of Medicine Oncology, and Microbiology and Immunology

Office:  

Phone:  

Dr Curiel's lab investigates the immunopathogenic basis of human disease with an emphasis on novel strategies for cancer immunotherapy, concepts of which have been put into human clinical trials. Current work focuses on novel aspects of immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy, notably tumor-intrinsic PDL1 signals, pathogenic effects of regulatory T cells and on engineered cytokines, especially IL2.

The lab utilizes a number of orthotopic mouse cancer models, including cancers of breast, bladder, ovary, lung, prostate and immune cells; and melanoma and glioblastoma multiforme. We have developed proprietary, inducible orthotopic cancer models of melanoma and bladder cancer with specific deletion of PDL1 only in the cancer cells-of-origin to study very early events in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Current tumor-intrinsic PDL1 work is now going into human trials at Dartmouth and UT Health Sa Antonio. Students learn a variety of important techniques aside from many basic skills, including high-dimensional flow cytometry and analyses, digital imaging, advanced CRISPR/Cas9 strategies, high throughput drug screens, development and use of genetically-modified mice and work with human cells and humanized mice. Much attention is given to acquiring outstanding data presentation skills, manuscript writing and grant preparations.

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Steven N. Fiering, Ph.D.

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Steven N. Fiering

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and Molecular and Systems Biology

Office: 622 Rubin

Phone: 603-646-5365


My lab is working on novel approaches to detection and treatment of cancer. These approaches center on developing antitumor immune responses using nanoparticles and microorganisms. We are also generating novel mouse models of cancer and other diseases using genetically engineering mice.


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Britt A. Goods, Ph.D.

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Briff A. Goods, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Engineering, and Molecular and Systems Biology

Thayer School of Engineering

Office:   ESCS 121

Phone:  603-646-2368

The Goods Lab solves problems at the intersection of engineering, the immune system, and reproductive health by improving our understanding of biology and by developing tools and systems biology approaches to understand, manipulate, and integrate biological knowledge. The long-term goal of Dr. Goods' research is to improve the lives of people by building a better understanding of the interplay between reproductive health and immunology, and translating those insights into therapeutics, diagnostics, and novel ways of both studying and monitoring reproductive and overall health.

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William R. Green, Ph.D.

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William Green

Elmer R. Pfefferkorn Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 603W Borwell

Phone: 603-646-5367


Our research focuses on the T-cell immune responses to retroviruses.


No longer accepting new thesis students.

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Karl E. Griswold, Ph.D.

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Karl Griswold

Professor of Engineering, and Biological Sciences

Office: 128E Cummings Hall

Phone: 603-646-2127


The Griswold research group develops performance-enhanced biomolecules through the application of protein engineering technologies. Current projects are focused on biotherapeutic agents.


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Paul M. Guyre, Ph.D.

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Paul M. Guyre

Active Emeritus Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 646W Borwell

Phone: 603-646-5368

Dr. Guyre's principal research interests  to date have been: (i) Cancer immunotherapy; (ii) understanding the regulation and function of IgG Fc receptors on phagocytes, and (iii) how hormones and cytokines regulate the functional activity of white blood cells including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils. The Guyre lab team is currently focused on finding biomarkers for the neuroimmune related disease, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and the tick-induced mammalian meat allergy Alpha Gal Syndrome. Vastly underdiagnosed, IgE anti-alpha gal (a sugar found on all mammals except humans) can induce life threatening anaphylaxis to not only meals of beef and pork, but to medications contained in gelatin capsules.

No longer accepting new thesis students.

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Yina H. Huang, Ph.D.

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Yina Huang

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and Pathology and Lab Medicine

Office: 604E Borwell

Phone: 603-646-5373

We investigate how T cells traffic and respond to infections and tumors. In particular, we study the signals that regulate differentiation and migration of effector and memory T cell and are exploring methods to manipulate their activity to ensure protective and durable immune protection. 


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Claudia Jakubzick, Ph.D.

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Claudia Jakubzick

Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office:  628W Borwell

Phone:  603-646-5376

My lab primarily focuses on understanding the functional role of mononuclear phagocytes (i.e., macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells) in homeostasis and inflammation. Current projects include 1- The regulation of the adaptive immune response by dendritic cells and monocytes, 2- The role of interstitial macrophages during inflammation, 3- The role of B cells and mononuclear phagocytes in transplant rejection and early-stage cancer recognition, and 4- Defining the human and mouse mononuclear phagocyte counterparts in the lung, skin and draining lymph nodes.

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Jiwon Lee, Ph.D.

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Jiwon Lee

Ralph and Marjorie Crump Assistant Professor of Engineering

Thayer School of Engineering

Office:  ECSC 135J

Phone:  603-646-3485

The Lee Lab studies the dynamics of antibody repertoires in infectious disease, autoimmune disease, and cancer using high-throughput sequencing of B cell transcripts and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The repertoire of antibody molecules circulating in blood or coating mucosal surfaces is the basis for protective immunity, and we employ machine learning frameworks, big data analytics tools, proteomic analytical methods, and data modeling to gain clinically relevant insights regarding protective mechanisms at unprecedented details. Leveraging this knowledge, we aim to design next-generation therapeutics and vaccines precisely tailored to maximize effectiveness in the context of particular diseases and/or patients (i.e. personalized/precision medicine).

Website | Email | PubMed Articles 

David A. Leib, Ph.D.

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David Leib

Professor and Chair of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 630E Borwell

Phone: 603-646-5232

We study the molecular pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus (HSV). In particular, we are interested in ways that viruses evade both innate and adaptive immune responses.
We also study maternal immunity to HSV infections and how it shapes the pathogenesis of neonatal HSV – a rare yet devastating manifestation of HSV infection.

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Randolph J. Noelle, Ph.D.

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Randolph Noelle

Thomas S. Kosasa Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 702 Rubin

Phone: 603-646-5378

We study mediators that control the development of adaptive immunity. Our current focus is on the role of retinoic acid in controlling immunity, elements of the immune microenvironment that control allograft tolerance and tumor immunity, and new members of the PD-L family that govern how monocytes regulate T cell responses.


No longer accepting new thesis students.

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Josh Obar, Ph.D MCB'06

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Joshua Obar

Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 650W Borwell

Phone: 603-646-5383

Research in the Obar lab investigates the mechanisms by which inflammatory leukocytes are recruited to the lungs during infections. Specifically, we are interested in viral infections, such as influenza A virus, and fungal infection, such as Aspergillus fumigatus. 


 

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Patricia A. Pioli, Ph.D. MCB'01

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Patricia Pioli

Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 644E Borwell Building

Phone: 603-646-5385

Research in our laboratory is focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms that regulate macrophage activation in the context of both autoimmunity and cancer. Taking advantage of macrophage plasticity, we then use this information to determine how macrophage activation can be altered for maximal therapeutic benefit.


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William F.C. Rigby, M.D.

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William Rigby

Professor of Medicine, and Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 608W Borwell

Phone: 603-646-7912

Dr. Rigby is examining the changes that accompany clinical responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologics.


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Pamela Rosato, Ph.D., MCB'15

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Pamela Rosato

Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology

Office:  732 Rubin Building

Phone:

Our research focuses on understanding the function and regulation of virus-specific resident memory T cells (TRM). Using mouse and human tissue explant models, we seek to develop a foundational understanding of TRM biology in distinct tissues to be able to contextualize the role of TRM in pathologic and protective settings. Our current focuses are on the functions of anti-viral TRM in the brain, repurposing virus-specific TRM as a brain tumor immunotherapy, and investigating the role of TRM within tumors during oncolytic viral therapy.

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Rahul Sarpeshkar, Ph.D.

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Rahul Sarpeshkar

Thomas E Kurtz Professor, Professor of Engineering, Microbiology and Immunology, Physics, Molecular and Systems Biology

Office: 507A Vail

Phone: 603-646-6821


Synthetic analog and digital biological circuits in electri-cigenic and other microbes; Applications of synthetic and systems biology to immunology, infectious disease, and cancer; Precision measurement, electronic circuit modeling, and feedback control of living cells at the fundamental limits set by physics.

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Charles L. Sentman, Ph.D.

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Charles Sentman

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Director for Synthetic Immunity

Office: 640W Borwell

Phone: 603-646-5390

My laboratory is interested in innate immunity and how it regulates adaptive immunity in response to cancer and infectious disease. We focus our work on NK cells and CD8 T cells, and we are using innate immune receptors as a means to develop therapeutics for cancer.


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Sladjana Skopelja-Gardner, PhD

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Sladjana Skopelja-Gardner

Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: Borwell 606W

Phone: 603-650-6899

Our research aims to identify how innate immune pathways drive the development of autoimmunity and contribute to disease pathogenesis. We are addressing these questions in models of skin sterile inflammation that are relevant to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis (DM), as well as in primary human tissues. With the goal to identify novel therapeutic targets, we are investigating the regulation of type I interferon response as well as neutrophil migration and function.

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Bruce Stanton, Ph.D.

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Bruce Stanton

Andrew C. Vail Memorial Professor

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and of Physiology

Office: 615 Remsen

Phone: 603-646-5395

Our laboratory studies the genetic disease Cystic Fibrosis. In particular we study host pathogen interactions between bacteria and human airway epithelial cells and the interactome of CFTR and how interacting proteins regulate CFTR trafficking. We also examine how environmental toxins, in particular arsenic, cause and contribute to respiratory and diseases and inflammation.


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Mark Sundrud, Ph.D.

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Sundrud, Mark

Professor of Medicine, and of Microbiology and Immunology

Office:  Borwell 630W

The Sundrud laboratory is focused on the identification and regulation of pro-inflammatory T cell subsets that are involved in the development and persistence of chronic inflammatory disorders. The laboratory integrates the use of clinical human tissue samples, primary T cell culture techniques, mouse models of autoimmunity, and molecular biology and biochemistry to forge new insight into the development and pathogenesis of inflammation. The lab is particularly interested in metabolic and stress response pathways that control T cell development and function.

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Mary Jo Turk, Ph.D.

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Mary Jo Turk

O. Ross McIntyre, M.D. Endowed Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Co-Director, Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy Program

Office: 732 Rubin

Phone: 603-646-5397

Our research focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to cancer, with an emphasis on T cell memory. We are also interested in learning how autoimmunity influences anti-tumor immunity.

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Edward J. Usherwood, Ph.D.

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Edward Usherwood

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Office: 608E Borwell

Phone: 603-646-5224


Research in the Usherwood lab focuses on T cell-mediated immune surveillance to virus infections and cancer. We are interested in factors that regulate T cell memory and immune surveillance. A major goal is to exploit these findings to develop novel immunotherapies for cancer and persistent virus infections.

 

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Michael L. Whitfield, Ph.D.

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Michael Whitfield

Professor of Molecular and Systems Biology

Chair of Biomedical Data Sciences

Office: 330 Williamson Translational Research Building

Phone: 603-650-1105 


The complexities of biological systems can now be studied with genome-wide approaches that take a global view of the underlaying biology. 


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