I am an Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. My research program focuses on understanding how innate immunity, intestinal physiology, inflammation, and host metabolism interact to regulate health and disease.
My laboratory investigates the mechanisms underlying intestinal inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease, host–microbiome interactions, and infection. We are particularly interested in how microbial- and host-derived metabolites, including bile acids and iron-related metabolites, shape mucosal immune responses, epithelial function, gut homeostasis, and systemic inflammation. Our work integrates immunology, gut physiology, microbiome biology, and in vivo disease models to understand disease mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic strategies.
My research has also expanded into the intersection of metabolism, immunity, and infectious disease, including studies of anemia, erythroid-cell biology, iron homeostasis, and malaria pathogenesis. Through these studies, we aim to understand how alterations in host metabolism influence immune responses and contribute to disease progression.
I am committed to developing an interdisciplinary research program that connects basic mechanisms of mucosal biology with clinically relevant inflammatory and infectious diseases. Through collaboration and mentorship, I aim to advance our understanding of host–microbiome interactions and identify metabolic pathways that can be targeted to improve human health.
