Postdoctoral Fellow
Karen Doody, PhD
kdoody@liai.org
Biosketch:
I obtained my BS degree from Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada) in 2005 where I graduated with Combined Honours from the Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology & Immunology. I then completed my PhD in October 2011 in the laboratory of Dr. Michel Tremblay at McGill University (Montréal, Canada) with my thesis entitled "T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase in immune system development and disease". I joined the Bottini laboratory as a post-doctoral fellow in November 2011.
Research Focus:
My research focuses on the involvement of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in various aspects of rheumatoid arthritis. In particular, I am interested in how these PTPs contribute to the early events leading to autoimmunity by using mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis.
Career Goals:
My goal is to investigate the mechanisms underlying autoimmune disease as a principal investigator, and through my research contribute to improved therapies for people living with autoimmune disease.
Stephanie Stanford, PhD
stephanie@liai.org
Biosketch:
I graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 2005, with a BS in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. I then obtained my PhD in Genetic, Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Southern California in 2010. I have been working as a postdoc in the Bottini laboratory at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology since April 2010.
Research Focus:
My research projects are focused on protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) which are implicated in human Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. I am currently studying the role and regulation of LYP in T cell receptor signaling and am developing novel approaches to inhibit PTPN22 and other PTPs which are promising candidate drug targets. Additionally, I am also interested in defining new drug targets for immune-mediated diseases among the PTPome.
Career Goals:
I plan to pursue a career in scientific research with a strong emphasis in signaling molecules involved in human disease.
Research Technicians
Matt Bliss, Research Technician I
mbliss@liai.org
Biosketch:
I graduated with a B.S. from UC Santa Barbara in June of 2011. My undergraduate research focused on membrane trafficking proteins and vesicle fusion in the Weimbs lab. I started working in the Bottini Lab in August of 2011 as a technician.
Research Focus:
My projects involve understanding the role of protein tyrosine phosphatases in diabetes and using both cell-based and in vivo mouse models. I am also involved in developing small molecule inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases for potential therapies for these disorders.
Career Goals:
To attend graduate school in an area to be determined.
Amanda Campbell, Research Technician I
acampbell@liai.org
Biosketch:
I graduated with a BS in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior Biology from the University of California Davis in 2011. I began working in the Bottini laboratory in August 2011.
Research Focus:
My projects aim to decipher the intracellular pathways involving PTPN22 within immune cells and then test that knowledge in mouse models.
Career Goals:
I hope to use this experience to help decide between pursuing a research based PhD program or a Veterinary medicine program.
Michael Maestre, Research Technician II
maestrem@liai.org
Biosketch:
I graduated with a BA in biology from Boston University in the fall of 2006. I then completed an MS in biology at New York University. Since then, I interned in a molecular genetics lab at SDSU and now work in Dr. Bottini's lab at LIAI since May 2010.
Research Focus:
I am currently working on identifying novel drug targets for human autoimmune diseases. I am focusing my search on a class of immune signaling molecules called receptor-type protein tyrosine Phosphatases.
Career Goals:
In my career, I'm interested in taking on various roles to gain a global understanding of biotechnology. Working in immunology at LIAI, I can experience at ground level the process of indentifying drug targets and potential treatments.
Dennis Wu, Research Technician I
djwu1@liai.org
Biosketch:
I obtained my BS degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UCSD in 2009. Before joining Dr. Bottini's laboratory, I worked as a research assistant at the UCSD School of Medicine.
Research Focus:
I am studying the role of tyrosine phosphatases in T cell development and function, and in autoimmunity using mouse models.
Career Goals:
I am preparing to apply to a PhD Program in the biomedical field.