The first project is to explore the neonatal immune response to respiratory viral infection. Infants are especially vulnerable to viral infections. This is due, in part, to an immature immune system.  My laboratory uses a mouse model of viral infection to elucidate the cellular and molecular differences between the neonatal and adult immune response to viral infection. We are also interested in how immune factors in maternal milk may modulate the neonatal immune response.

The second research project is aimed at understanding why wound healing is impaired in diabetic patients. Delayed wound healing in diabetic patients results in many amputations, and has a significant effect on the quality of life for these patients. We are examining the differences in immune cell activation during the course of normal and diabetic wound healing.