Profile

Biological Barriers, Gastroenterology

The primary focus of my research program is studying and understanding mechanisms that influence intestinal stem cell proliferative status, particularly following damage. Our current lines of study involve delineating:

1. the roles Paneth cells, from the intestinal epithelium, play in epithelial repair – particularly within the context of providing a stem cell niche,
2. how enteric bacteria influence damage and repair of the intestinal mucosa – particularly communication between enteric bacteria and resident leukocytes within the lamina propria, and
3. the influence growth factors have on repair – particularly DNA damage repair and stem cell expansion

Delineating how these compartments influence mucosal damage and repair will not only provide us a better understanding the mechanisms involved in these processes, but will ultimately lead us to therapies that can be used clinically to minimize such damage and potentially increase efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation strategies for treating cancer. I have experience mentoring students and post-doctoral fellows and have set up my lab to be conducive to training in the arena of basic science. As I am still gaining experience mentoring M.D. fellows I have accumulated a group of senior clinical and basic science faculty at UNC to aid me in providing sound laboratory and career mentorship.