influenza
Data
02/07/09 09:58
Wow, it’s already been several months since my last (also first!) blog post. I’m happy to say that our influenza experiments continue to go well. Ben and Jason have been generating all kinds of interesting data, and we’re now gearing up to perform our third series of in-vivo challenge experiments. I hope that we’ll be able to publish our results by the end of this year.
In April, Ben presented his work at a poster reception and dinner for the Science & Medicine Graduate Research Scholars (SciMed GRS) program. It was a great opportunity for us to meet other grad students and faculty, and to learn more about all the interesting research being performed on campus. The dinner featured a keynote talk by LaMont Tolliver, director of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His talk inspired us all to keep striving to reach our potential -- an important message for faculty and students alike!
In other news, our soccer team finished out the indoor season with only one loss. I wish I could say we carried that momentum into the summer outdoor season, but competition has been pretty intense so far. Last night we played well, but ultimately lost 3-4.
In April, Ben presented his work at a poster reception and dinner for the Science & Medicine Graduate Research Scholars (SciMed GRS) program. It was a great opportunity for us to meet other grad students and faculty, and to learn more about all the interesting research being performed on campus. The dinner featured a keynote talk by LaMont Tolliver, director of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His talk inspired us all to keep striving to reach our potential -- an important message for faculty and students alike!
In other news, our soccer team finished out the indoor season with only one loss. I wish I could say we carried that momentum into the summer outdoor season, but competition has been pretty intense so far. Last night we played well, but ultimately lost 3-4.
Lab site launched!
15/02/09 18:01
It’s been a busy few months in the lab. Ben Wolter joined the lab in December as our first graduate student. He’s had to jump right in, since we began our first influenza infection experiment in late January. I’ve been incredibly happy with the results so far -- we’ve been able to measure immune responses in lung and blood in flu-infected monkeys. We’re currently analyzing the mountains of data we’ve generated, but I’m satisfied that we can detect activation of dendritic cells and T cells early on in both these compartments.
I also submitted my first NIH R01 grant proposal in January, as a co-PI with Dave O’Connor on a project for the NIAID AIDS Vaccine Discovery initiative. In addition to this, I will soon be submitting revised versions of R21 grants on the roles of dendritic cells and CD8+ T cells in the immune response to influenza.
In outside-the-lab news, I’ve temporarily taken over managing our lab coed soccer team, while the usual managers take a well-deserved break. I’m happy to say that our team is 2-0 in this session so far, including a 9-0 shutout last Friday night!
I also submitted my first NIH R01 grant proposal in January, as a co-PI with Dave O’Connor on a project for the NIAID AIDS Vaccine Discovery initiative. In addition to this, I will soon be submitting revised versions of R21 grants on the roles of dendritic cells and CD8+ T cells in the immune response to influenza.
In outside-the-lab news, I’ve temporarily taken over managing our lab coed soccer team, while the usual managers take a well-deserved break. I’m happy to say that our team is 2-0 in this session so far, including a 9-0 shutout last Friday night!