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Overview


Program Start Year: 2017
Shinohara Laboratory

Invasive fungal infections have become a global health challenge, owing to the number of patients with HIV/AIDS and the increase use of immunosuppressive drugs during treatment of cancer and autoimmune patients. C. neoformans (Cn) is a yeast found ubiquitously in the environment that initially causes pulmonary infection as it is inhaled. Cn has a neurotropism to the central nervous system (CNS), but the role of CNS-resident cells remains unknown. My thesis work in the Shinohara Lab focuses on elucidating the role and contributions of (CNS) resident cells duringcryptococcal meningoencephalitis. My long-terms goal is to establish an independent research group and continue studying immune mechanisms in infectious diseases, providing valuable insights with the purpose of creating new therapeutics to treat these diseases. I also want to educate and train young scientists, focusing on increasing the presence of underrepresented minorities within the biological sciences.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Recent Publications


20-αHydroxycholesterol, an oxysterol in human breast milk, reverses mouse neonatal white matter injury through Gli-dependent oligodendrogenesis.

Journal Article Cell Stem Cell · August 3, 2023 White matter injuries (WMIs) are the leading cause of neurologic impairment in infants born premature. There are no treatment options available. The most common forms of WMIs in infants occur prior to the onset of normal myelination, making its pathophysio ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Host immune responses in the central nervous system during fungal infections.

Journal Article Immunol Rev · October 2022 Fungal infections in the central nervous system (CNS) cause high morbidity and mortality. The frequency of CNS mycosis has increased over the last two decades as more individuals go through immunocompromised conditions for various reasons. Nevertheless, op ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

microRNA-142 guards against autoimmunity by controlling Treg cell homeostasis and function.

Journal Article PLoS biology · February 2022 Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical in preventing aberrant immune responses. Posttranscriptional control of gene expression by microRNA (miRNA) has recently emerged as an essential genetic element for Treg cell function. Here, we report that mice with T ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Heterogeneous immune responses of the alveolar macrophage population during pulmonary fungal infections

ResearchResearch Assistant · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2021 - 2026

Protective role of Clec7a/dectin-1 in CNS autoimmunity

ResearchResearch Assistant · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2020 - 2025

Role of osteopontin in innate immunity during infections and inflammation

ResearchResearch Assistant · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2011 - 2023

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