Diana Contreras
Department: Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology
Faculty Mentor: Jeff Rathmell, Ph.D.
Dissertation Description: Metabolic Regulation in T Lymphocytes
The Rathmell lab studies the metabolic pathways of lymphocytes to identify potential mechanisms for inhibiting inflammatory diseases and cancer. Our lab has found that there are differences in the metabolism of different T cell subsets. My project will look at the differences in metabolic pathways between T effector (Teff) and T regulatory (Treg) cells to find how inflammatory diseases could be metabolically modulated. the goal of my project is to identify mechanisms of metabolic regulation and important metabolites that may influence T lymphocyte function.