Speakers

After completing an MRes in Molecular Biology at Jagiellonian University and doctoral studies in Immunology at the University of Newcastle, I moved to the University of Cambridge to take up a Senior Research Associate position. 

I am currently based at the Department of Peadiatrics, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford where I investigate genetic and environmental determinants of autoimmunity, link them with immune system function and develop T1D immunotherapies. This has led to a number of insights into T cell biology and two mechanistic trials using IL-2 as an intervention.  

After discovering antimicrobial receptors on recent thymic emigrants in neonates and adults, I hypothesised peripheral Treg induction to commensal mimotopes as the regulatory mechanism, entangled with thymic Tregs, conferring tolerance to human epitopes. I am particularly interested in linking the causal role of microbial dysbiosis, an environmental trigger of T1D, with host genetics (HLA class II, INS, PTPN22 and IL-2 pathway) and the immune repertoire (TCRs) against commensal mimotopes, in the aetiology of T1D*. 

I am currently designing mechanistic microbiome intervention studies and author of the SINT1A trial at GPPAD and lead for microbiome research at PTChA. In this way, I am applying my experience in prevention strategies including dietary interventions to eradicate diseases linked with microbiome pathologies, in particular T1D, generating insights into the biology of the host-microbial interaction.