My lab is passionate about human interferons and especially type III interferons where there is still a lot to learn about! We are interested in how interferons regulate immune responses. However, when I’m not in the lab I like playing sports and hanging out with my family. Scientist should not forget about the importance of work-family balance, and we should also keep in mind that in the long-term your kids don’t care about your h-index or how successful you were, but how much you were there for them. This is one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received.
Please tell us your name, degree, where you currently work, and position.
My name is Deanna Santer, Ph.D and I am an Assistant Professor and GlaxoSmithKline Research Chair in Immunobiology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Where did you do your training?
I completed my BSc Honours in Immunology and Infection at the University of Alberta, Canada. Next, I moved to Seattle and completed my PhD in Immunology at the University of Washington, USA where I was mentored by Dr. Keith Elkon. I then went back to Canada when Nobel Laureate Dr. Michael Houghton established a new lab at the University of Alberta where I did postdoctoral training and developed my eventual independent research program.
Briefly, what is your research about?
My lab is passionate about human interferons and especially type III interferons where there is still a lot to learn about! We are interested in how interferons regulate immune responses, whether during a viral infection, or during chronic inflammation such as in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Tell us your thoughts about ICIS: how has being involved in the Cytokine Society helped your career?
I attended my first Cytokines meeting in 2018. This society and attending the Cytokines meetings has really helped in progressing various projects as this is the best meeting to bring together interferon enthusiasts. Since starting my new lab during the pandemic, those within the Cytokine Society that work on type III interferons have also been very supportive and collaborative.
Are there any particular friendships or collaborations that came specifically out of Cytokines meetings?
One highlight of my career thus far was helping organize and attending the Interferon-lambda Satellite Meeting in Hawaii in 2022 that was supported by ICIS. It was here I could meet so many in the field that I had not met in-person before, but also my talk led to new discussions and a new collaboration with Dr. Paul Hertzog where our data was published in the Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research (JICR) in 2023. I am honored that paper was chosen for a Rosalind Franklin Society Special Award in Science as the best paper of the year in JICR by a woman or underrepresented minority. I have also met many great early career researchers at Cytokines meetings!
What Cytokines meeting(s) have been your favorites? Tell us about any special memories or anecdotes.
Cytokines 2022 in Hawaii is my favorite so far as my first time visiting Hawaii but also having multiple days to meet and discuss research with so many interferon researchers. I am looking forward to attending the next 5 Cytokines meetings announced!
What do you like to do when not in the lab?
Playing sports and hanging out with my family.
What is the best life/career advice you’ve ever received?
The importance of networking and being outside your comfort zone at conferences as you never know who will read your next publication, grant or become a future collaborator or mentor! Also, the importance of work-family balance and knowing in the long-term your kids don’t care about your h-index or how successful you were, but how much you were there for them.
What book or TV show are you reading/watching right now that you recommend?
I enjoy the latest thriller TV shows streaming that have a good plot twist as a nice break from thinking about science!
What is your favorite cytokine?
Easiest answer for me and the latest winner of the 2024 King of Pathogens Memorial Cytokine bracket run by Dr. Sarah Gaffen- Type III interferons!
Find Deanna on BlueSky @drdeannasanter.bsky.social or Twitter/X @drdeannasanter