Major research interests: Human Immunology, Autoimmunity, Immunochemistry, Humoral Immunity

Research goals: Our research goals are focused on furthering our understanding of the B cell response in both autoimmunity and cancer proliferation. The specific targets of B cells and their role remain an elementary unknown in most autoimmune diseases. Our autoimmunity program includes a novel strategy to isolate and identify the targets of autoimmune B cells. In addition, we are studying the nature of autoimmune B cells that are often present in inflamed compartments of the autoimmune host. This human autoimmunity program includes the investigation of two major diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS) and the inflammatory myopathies (IM).  Our cancer immunology program is currently focused on germ cell tumors. It is understood that tumors in this family invariably harbor an immune cell infiltrate comprised, in part, of B cells, yet little is known of their role. We are using a novel strategy to further understand the nature of the B cells commonly found within these tumors.