Member Highlight – ICIS Treasurer Dusan Bogunovic

Please tell us your name, degree, where you currently work, position
Dusan Bogunovic, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, Professor
Where did you do your training?
New York University for Ph.D., and Rockefeller for Postdoc
Briefly, what is your research about?
The Bogunovic lab focuses on the study of human immunogenetics. We aim to improve understanding of the human immune system by studying:

1) Individuals with rare auto-inflammatory syndromes.

2) Individuals with severe clinical presentations of infectious diseases.

3) Developing broad spectrum antiviral therapeutics.

4) Understanding immune system in Down syndrome.

To dissect these phenotypes and develop therapeutics we use genomic, genetic, molecular biology, cellular biology, immunology and clinical tools.

Tell us your thoughts about ICIS: how has being involved in the Cytokine Society help your career?
ICIS is terrific organization that has introduced me as a younger scientist to leaders in the field and peers alike.
Are there any particular friendships or collaborations that came specifically out of Cytokines meetings?
Yes, a collaboration and a subsequent manuscript in Cell Reports with Dragana Jankovic of NIH
What Cytokines meeting(s) have been your favorites? Tell us about any special memories or anecdotes.
I loved the most recent one in Athens. I also loved the Boston one, as my whole lab went and we simply had a terrific time.
What do you like to do when not in the lab?
I love reading the NY times.
What is the best life/career advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t compare yourself to others.
What book or TV show are you reading/watching right now that you recommend?
I recently rewatched a film titled Honeyland. It’s lovely.
What is your favorite cytokine?
Type I Interferons, of course. I think Sarah loves the fact that there are 17 type I Interferons. 😊