Dr. Ashutosh Mangalam received a four-year VA Merit Award entitled “Role of HLA Class-II Polymorphism in the Regulation of Host-Microbiota Symbiosis”. HLA class-II genes and gut microbiota have emerged as important genetic and environmental factors linked with the pathobiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that affects around one million people in the US.

Stephanie Peterson successfully defended her PhD thesis in early October and completed the Immunology PhD program. Stephanie’s thesis is entitled A tale of two diets: Divergent effects of fructose and isoflavones in a mouse model of Multiple Sclerosis. She performed her thesis work in the laboratory of Dr. Ashutosh Mangalam where she examined the effects of fructose on the gut microbiome, immune system, and disease outcomes in a mouse model of Multiple Sclerosis. Additionally, Stephanie investigated potential mechanisms of isoflavone-mediated protection in these mouse models.

Our thirteenth annual Pathology Research Day was held on Tuesday, October 17th 2023. Morning research presentations by faculty and trainees took place in the H.P. Smith Conference Room (W256 GH) and the plenary presentation, given by Dr. Stanley Perlman was held at 1:00 PM in 2117 MERF. The afternoon poster session was held in the MERF Atrium with 54 posters presented.

Nastaran Daneshgar is the recipient of the 2024 spring Graduate College Post-Comprehensive Research Fellowship. The Post-Comprehensive Research Fellowship is awarded to students in recognition of their distinguished academic achievement and to provide protected and supported time to pursue their research activities.

October's recipients include: Bonnie Brown, Julie Kruger, Mariah Leidinger, and David Nelson.

Dr. Alexander Boyden received a one-year RFA research grant award from the National MS Society entitled “Impact of gamma herpesvirus infection on required B cell:CD4 T cell interactions in a novel B cell-dependent, antibody-independent EAE model”.