Lorena Harvey
Department: Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology
Faculty Mentor: Timothy Cover, M.D.
Dissertation Description: Helicobacter pylori-host interactions
The Cover lab studies the molecular mechanisms governing Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis. H. pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that persistently colonizes the gastric mucosa of approximately 50% of the world’s population. Persistent H. pylori colonization of the stomach results in chronic gastric inflammation. H. pylori infection is also regarded as a strong risk factor for the development of stomach cancer and peptic ulcer disease. Stomach cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide and it is important to elucidate the mechanisms by which H. pylori contributes to the development of disease. My research will focus on investigating Helicobacter pylori – host interactions.