Education
- Graduate: PhD, 2011, MIT; MD, 2013, Harvard Medical School
- Undergraduate: BA, 2006, Biology, University of Chicago
Research Summary
Diverse commensal microbes colonize every surface of our bodies. We study the constant communication between these microbes and our immune system. We focus on our largest organ: the skin. By employing microbial genetics, immunologic approaches, and mouse models, we can dissect (1) the molecular signals used by microbes to educate our immune system and (2) how different microbial communities alter immune responses. Ultimately, we aim to harness these microbe-host interactions to engineer novel vaccines and therapeutics for human disease.
Awards
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Hanna H. Gray Fellow, 2018-2026
- A.P. Giannini Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, 2018
- Dermatology Foundation Research Fellowship, 2017
Education
- PhD, 1981, Oxford University
- AB, 1978, Mathematics, Princeton University
Research Summary
Following the successful completion of the Human Genome Project, the challenge now is to decipher the information encoded within the human genetic code — including genes, regulatory controls and cellular circuitry. Such understanding is fundamental to the study of physiology in both health and disease. At the Broad Institute, my lab collaborates with other to discover and understand the genes responsible for rare genetic diseases, common diseases, and cancer; the genetic variation and evolution of the human genome; the basis of gene regulation via enhancers, long non-coding RNAs, and three-dimensional folding of the genome; the developmental trajectories of cellular differentiation; and the history of the human population.
Awards
- William Allan Award, American Society of Human Genetics, 2018
- James R. Killian Jr. Faculty Achievement Award, MIT, 2016
- Block Memorial Award for Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Research, Ohio State University, 2013
- AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize, 2015
- Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, 2013
- Harvey Prize for Human Health, Technion University, Israel, 2012
- Dan David Prize, 2012
- Albany Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, Albany Medical College, 2010
- Gairdner Foundation International Award, Canada, 2002
- Max Delbruck Medal, Berlin, 2001
- MacArthur Foundation, MacArthur Fellowship, 1987
