Our lab explores the functional consequences of spatial compartmentalization of the human adaptive immune system in health and disease.

A key feature of the immune system is its organization into distinct niches of highly specialized functions in a tissue-specific manner. While we have garnered significant insights into human immune responses through the analysis of peripheral blood samples and the extrapolation of data from mouse models, studies from the past decade have generated an evolving spatial atlas of distinct immune cells in human tissues. These tissue-specific immune niches respond to distinct antigens (e.g., commensals and pathogens), and are influenced by various stressors (e.g., metabolic, environmental, and aging). We are interested in understanding the fundamental biology of these tissue-specific lymphocytes, and deciphering the underlying mechanisms of their misdirected responses in tissue pathologies. Our goal is to advance the clinical management of these disorders by identifying targets for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions.