T cell immunoglobulin 3 (TIM3) is a pleiotropic immunoregulatory protein. While TIM3 is transiently expressed on some cells (i.e. T cells), it is constitutively expressed on certain myeloid cells. Recent studies show that TIM3 regulates inflammasome activation in dendritic cells and, thus, anti-tumor T cell responses. Interestingly, the highest TIM3 expression is seen on CD8α+ and XCR1+ dendritic cells (DC), which are both specialized for cross presentation. Cross presentation is crucial for viral clearance in certain infections such as Influenza A Virus (IAV), however, the role of TIM3 in both cross presentation and IAV infection are not fully understood. My project aims to define the role of DC-expressed TIM3 in DC, cross presentation and IAV infection.

Honors/Awards

AAI Young Investigator Award - Autumn Immunology Conference (2024) 
Jakobsen/GSS Award for Research Imagery - The University of Iowa's 3 Minute Thesis (2022) 
Abstract selected for oral presentation - CIID Annual Retreat (2021) 
Immunology T32 Pre-Doctoral Training Grant (2022-2023) 
Immunology T32 Pre-Doctoral Training Grant (2021-2022)