Graduate Students and Post Doctoral Fellows in the lab are working on research that is focused on CD8 and CD4 T cell responses to a variety of viral and bacterial infections to help understand the development of immunological protection from re-infection. We observe and manipulate pathogen specific T cell responses over time by using MHC tetramers, adoptive transfer of transgenic T cells, fluorescence flow cytometry and sorting, and gene microarry analysis. Upon activation in lymphoid tissue, rare pathogen-specific naïve T cells proliferate, acquire effector functions, disseminate throughout the organism, and contribute to the eradication of pathogens. In situations where antigen is successfully eliminated, most effector T cells die by apoptosis. However, a fraction of effector T cells escape death and differentiate into long-lived memory T cells that contribute to protective immunity. We are currently dedicated to elucidating the developmental cues that govern T cell migration to different anatomical locations, commitment to the memory lineage, and the contribution of memory T cell differentiation state and location to protection from re-infection. Memory T cells that reside at common portals of pathogen entry or infection, especially the intestinal mucosa, are of particular interest. By understanding these issues, we hope to contribute to the development of better vaccination strategies, and are currently focused on informing development of a protective HIV vaccine.
View publications here.
Looking for current Masopust-Vezys Lab Info or Graduate Students, Post Doctoral Fellows or Research Associates? click here
Elizabeth Steinert, Ph.D.
Program: MICaB
Defense Year: 2016
Advisor: Dave Masopust
Dissertation Title: "Evaluating memory CD8 T Cell quantity, distribution and migration."
Current Position: Research Associate (Navdeep Chandel lab), Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Contact Info: [email protected]
Jason Schenkel, M.D., Ph.D.
Program: MICaB
Defense Year: 2014
Advisor: Dave Masopust
Dissertation Title: "The Distribution and Function of Resident Memory CD8 T Cells."
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Translational Molecular Pathology and Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Contact Info: [email protected]
Kathryn Fraser, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Fellow 2008-2012
Senior Research Associate 2012-2015
Laboratory of David Masopust
Research Emphasis/Publications: Preexisting high frequencies of memory CD8+ T cells favor rapid memory differentiation and preservation of proliferative potential upon boosting., T cell memory. Resident memory CD8 T cells trigger protective innate and adaptive immune responses. full list of Publications
Current Position: Associate Director, Takeda, Boston, MA
Current Info: [email protected]
Kerry Casey, Ph.D.
Program: MICaB
Defense Year: 2009
Advisor: Matthew Mescher
Dissertation Title: "Third Signal Cytokines and Their Roles in CD8 T Cell Responses."
Fellowship dates: 2008-2010
Advisor: David Masopust
Research Emphasis: Utilized a series of cutting-edge technologies characterizing migration patterns and quantification and longevity of pathogen-specific T cell memory. Work resulted in the launch of a new field of CD8 T cell research, tissue-resident memory formation, and the first mechanistic description of memory T cell retention at mucosal sites. Challenged dogmatic beliefs in the differences in the immune systems of mice and men through the capture and immunophenotyping of wild mice showing that stimulation history and not genetics drives many of the observed discrepancies.
Current Position: Clinical Biomarker Strategist, Oncology and Immunology at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, NY
Contact Info: [email protected]
Kristin Anderson, Ph.D.
Program: MICaB
Defense Year: 2014
Advisor: Dave Masopust
Dissertation Title: "Essential Discrimination of Vascular and Tissue Lymphocytes Redefines CD8 T Cell Responses to Respiratory Infection."
Current Position: Senior Research Associate, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Phil Greenberg lab), Seattle, WA
Contact Info: [email protected]
Lalit Beura, Ph.D.
Post Doctoral Fellow 2011-2017
Senior Research Associate 2017-2019
Laboratory of David Masopust
Research Emphasis/Publications: Evaluated T cell response in a chronic infection model leading to T cell dysfunction. Established a two-photon intravital microscopy technique to visualize T cells in a live mouse female reproductive tract. Characterized resident memory T cell reactivation in response to pathogen re-encounter in
non-lymphoid tissues. Investigated the role of normal microbial exposure in driving immune differences between humans and laboratory mice. Established a "dirty mice" model that better recapitulates the adult human immune system. Full list of
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
Current Info: [email protected]
Luke Manlove, Ph.D.
Program: MCDB&G
Defense Year:2015
Advisor: Mike Farrar
Dissertation Title: "Anti-leukemia Immunity is Enabled by Unmasking Cross-Reactive Antigens with Vaccination and Checkpoint Blockade."
Fellowship dates: 2015-2016
Advisor: David Masopust
Research Emphasis:
Current Position: Research Scientist I, Gilead Sciences, Seattle, WA
Contact Info: [email protected]
Nancy Fares-Frederickson, Ph.D.
Fellowship dates: 2017-20
Research Emphasis: Studied the establishment and function of CD4+ resident memory T cells in response to viral exposure at mucosal barrier tissues.
Current Position: Medical/Technical Writer II, Abbott Laboratories
Contact Info: [email protected]
Pamela Rosato, Ph.D.
Fellowship dates: 2015-2020
Research Emphasis: Tissue resident memory CD8 T cells (Trm) are present throughout non-lymphoid tissues of the body, poised to rapidly detect and activate upon pathogen re-encounter. I am investigating the mechanisms by which reactivated Trm create a potent immunostimulatory environment within local tissue, and how this can be harnessed as a potential cancer immunotherapy.
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH
Contact Info: [email protected]
Sathi Wijeyesinghe, M.D., Ph.D.
Program: MICaB
Defense Year: 2020
Advisor: Dave Masopust
Dissertation Title: "Expansive residence decentralizes immune homeostasis "
Current Position: Pediatric Resident at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX)
Contact Info: [email protected]