Macrophage dysregulation is a hallmark of chronic sterile inflammatory diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, and obesity/type 2 diabetes. Because macrophages are highly influenced by their environment, we need to understand how disease-specific changes to their environment dysregulate specific pathways to drive pathogenesis. Moreover, the relationship between these macrophage pathways to those required for pathogen clearance is largely unknown, which is important because attempts to therapeutically target macrophages must preserve this important function. Comparing and contrasting macrophages across a spectrum of diseases is therefore required to elucidate disease-specific mechanisms, and to develop therapeutics that are both efficacious and safe. To enable this, my lab combines proteomic, bioinformatic, immunologic, and functional approaches to study macrophages in an unbiased manner across a spectrum of diseases.
Our long-term goal is to develop a robust research program that uses a multi-disease approach to develop a comprehensive understanding of macrophage biology, and then translates this mechanistic understanding to develop therapeutics across a spectrum of human disease. To this end, my lab is developing 2 new therapies for the treatment of many cancers and anti-inflammatory therapies that do not interfere with pathogen clearance for treating atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes.
University of Washington
Seattle, WA, USA
Post-doctoral studies - Proteomics, Macrophages
2009
Queen's University
Kingston, ON, CAN
PhD - Biochemistry
2003
Context-dependent roles for autophagy in myeloid cells in tumor progression.
Context-dependent roles for autophagy in myeloid cells in tumor progression. bioRxiv. 2024 Jul 16.
PMID: 39071306
An Iron Refractory Phenotype in Obese Adipose Tissue Macrophages Leads to Adipocyte Iron Overload.
An Iron Refractory Phenotype in Obese Adipose Tissue Macrophages Leads to Adipocyte Iron Overload. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jul 03; 23(13).
PMID: 35806422
A lysosome-targeted DNA nanodevice selectively targets macrophages to attenuate tumours.
A lysosome-targeted DNA nanodevice selectively targets macrophages to attenuate tumours. Nat Nanotechnol. 2021 12; 16(12):1394-1402.
PMID: 34764452
Tubular lysosomes harbor active ion gradients and poise macrophages for phagocytosis.
Tubular lysosomes harbor active ion gradients and poise macrophages for phagocytosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 10 12; 118(41).
PMID: 34607961
Isolation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and monocytes from a single sample of human peripheral blood.
Isolation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and monocytes from a single sample of human peripheral blood. STAR Protoc. 2021 12 17; 2(4):100845.
PMID: 34604813
Surplus Ceramides: An Added Twist in the Tale of TREM2 and Insulin Resistance.
Surplus Ceramides: An Added Twist in the Tale of TREM2 and Insulin Resistance. Diabetes. 2021 09; 70(9):1926-1928.
PMID: 34417267
Neutrophil elastase selectively kills cancer cells and attenuates tumorigenesis.
Neutrophil elastase selectively kills cancer cells and attenuates tumorigenesis. Cell. 2021 06 10; 184(12):3163-3177.e21.
PMID: 33964209
GigC, a LysR Family Transcription Regulator, Is Required for Cysteine Metabolism and Virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii.
GigC, a LysR Family Transcription Regulator, Is Required for Cysteine Metabolism and Virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii. Infect Immun. 2020 12 15; 89(1).
PMID: 33077621
SMRT Regulates Metabolic Homeostasis and Adipose Tissue Macrophage Phenotypes in Tandem.
SMRT Regulates Metabolic Homeostasis and Adipose Tissue Macrophage Phenotypes in Tandem. Endocrinology. 2020 10 01; 161(10).
PMID: 32770234
CFTR Modulator Therapy Enhances Peripheral Blood Monocyte Contributions to Immune Responses in People With Cystic Fibrosis.
CFTR Modulator Therapy Enhances Peripheral Blood Monocyte Contributions to Immune Responses in People With Cystic Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol. 2020; 11:1219.
PMID: 33013356
J Clifford Moos Award for Cancer Research
University of Chicago
2017 - 2020
Young Investigator Award
Cancer Research Foundation
2014 - 2016
Young Investigator Award
3rd International Symposium Integrated Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Disease
2008 - 2008
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Canadian Institutes of Health and Research
2005 - 2008
Doctoral Research Fellowship
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
2002 - 2003