My research interests evolved due to a combination of experiences in endocrinology, gut microbiome, and adipose tissue biology. I have developed a research program in an understudied subject: mesenteric adipose tissue, which plays a key role in gut health and immunometabolism. Mesenteric adipose tissue is abdominal fat that harbors the nerves, lymphatics, arteries, and veins that directly connect to the intestine and support its function. Thus, it’s a complex fat depot comprising many different cell types that work in concert to protect the body from harmful substances while allowing the absorption of nutrients. Although mesenteric adipose tissue is often inflamed in individuals with obesity and inflammatory bowel disease, the underlying molecular mechanisms and their potential to improve metabolic health remain unclear. Our lab characterizes the role of mesenteric fat in health and disease using state-of-the-art advancements in single-cell RNA sequencing, proteomics, and transgenic mouse models, with the ultimate goal of developing new therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease and type 2 diabetes.
My favorite color is yellow. I love to cook and be outdoors for any reason.