My research interests include understanding the opposing challenges faced by the immune system in response to micro- vs. macro- parasites and is studying the relationship between type 2 cytokines and IL-17 … particularly the evolutionary relationship between type 2 immunity, parasite control and tissue repair and is currently investigating how the type 2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, regulate the extra-cellular matrix.
I received my undergraduate degree from Bates College, Maine, USA and then worked for a couple of years with a small startup antibody company in Maine. I moved to California to get a Masters in Public Health from UC Berkeley followed by two years in the biotech industry. After this career meandering, I started my PhD at UC Berkeley (although the lab was mainly based in San Francisco at UCSF). My degree was in Parasitology, but my PhD research was on the intracellular bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis.
Briefly, what is your research about?
My lab focusses on immunity to helminths, particularly studying type 2 immunity in all its many different exciting manifestations. My focus on type 2 immunity started from my postdoc, when I set off across the Atlantic to work in Rick Maizels’ lab in London on the immune response to filarial nematodes. Many years have passed, and I’ve moved from London to Edinburgh and now Manchester but have stayed in the UK and stayed with parasites.
Tell us your thoughts about ICIS: how has being involved in the Cytokine Society affected your career?
I became involved in ICIS fairly late in my career when I was invited to speak at the Boston meeting in 2018. It was great catching up with many friends and great science. My friend Chris Hunter subsequently talked me into becoming more involved. I’ve been mostly engaged with the awards committee. It is staggering the quality of applicants, making the decisions incredibly hard. I am now starting my second term as a Council member, and it is fun to see the Society develop and put its resources to support so many deserving people.
What Cytokines meeting(s) have been your favorites?
I probably shouldn’t admit it but my favorite meeting by far was the Cardiff meeting in 2021, which was cancelled due to Covid. A few us were invited to come to Cardiff anyway and help create a nexus for activity. It was super fun – a small group of us listening to the talks by Zoom and asking questions. It has influenced how I think about future hybrid meetings – could we create a series of satellite meetings with an invited speaker at each location – rather than the large congress in one place?
What do you like to do when not in the lab? What book or TV show are you reading/watching right now that you recommend?
My favorite pastimes are walking and reading (often at the same time!). I’m addicted to audiobooks, but also read many books on my Kindle or borrow a hardcopy from the library. Right now I’m reading Kamala Harris’ The Truths we Hold – in anticipation of knowing more about the first US woman president (we can hope!). Mostly, I read historical fiction, mysteries, or spy novels – Favourite authors include Mick Herron, JK Rowling (as Robert Galbraith), Abir Mukherjee, Lindsey Davis. In the popular science category, I must recommend Dan Davis’ The Beautiful Cure and Merlin Sheldrake’s Entangled Life – both excellent on audio.
What is the best life/career advice you’ve ever received?
To recognise that we didn’t evolve to be happy and that you need to work at finding joy in your day-to-day life – So far it seems to be working.
What is your favorite cytokine?
That’s easy – IL-13.