I am Tim Nice, Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. I grew up in rural Wisconsin and like to think that my first training as a biologist came from working with my parents to raise sheep on our farm. I began my independent lab at OHSU in 2015, with the goal to broadly contribute to the understanding of the immune response in the intestinal epithelium. A current focus of the Nice Lab is the discovery of novel regulatory factors acting to regulate interferons in the epithelium and their potential role in inflammatory disease. When not in the lab, though, I like hiking in the forests and coastlines of the great pacific northwest US.
Please tell us your name, degree, where you currently work, and position.
I am Tim Nice, Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR.
Where did you do your training?
I grew up in rural Wisconsin and like to think that my first training as a biologist came from working with my parents to raise sheep on our farm. My inspiration to study Immunology came during my undergraduate research opportunity with Dr. Kris Hogquist at the University of Minnesota. I went on to graduate studies at University of California, Berkeley under the mentorship of Dr. David Raulet and postdoctoral research at the University of Washington in St. Louis under the mentorship of Dr. Skip Virgin. I am thankful for my wonderful mentors throughout training!
Briefly, what is your research about?
I began my independent lab at OHSU in 2015, with the goal to broadly contribute to the understanding of the immune response in the intestinal epithelium. We use mouse models and epithelial organoid systems to define contributions of interferon family cytokines to shaping the barrier immune response. Over the past decade, we have defined homeostatic regulation of interferon responses by gut microbiota and distinct regulatory mechanisms in the neonatal intestine during early life. A current focus of the Nice Lab is the discovery of novel regulatory factors acting to regulate interferons in the epithelium and their potential role in inflammatory disease. There is never a dull moment in studying the dynamic biology of immunity and tolerance in the gut.
Tell us your thoughts about the Cytokines Society: how has being involved in the Cytokine Society helped your career?
The annual Cytokines meetings are one of my favorites and I try to attend whenever I can. I have met and continue to meet colleagues with overlapping interests and am always impressed by the stellar trainee presentations each year. It is a great setting to get feedback on unpublished work and develop new collaborations.
Are there any particular friendships or collaborations that came specifically out of Cytokines meetings?
I believe it was a Cytokines meeting where I first met Dr. Ram Savan, who I am now always happy to see at the annual meetings. We have an ongoing collaboration about regulation of interferons that I will be excited to see published soon.
What Cytokines meeting(s) have been your favorites? Tell us about any special memories or anecdotes.
My favorite recent memory is from Cytokines meeting in Korea, where I was lucky enough to benefit from experience of Dr. Sanghyun Lee who led us around and introduced us to delicious food and makgeolli to drink.
What do you like to do when not in the lab?
Hike in the forests and coastlines of the great pacific northwest US.
What is the best life/career advice you’ve ever received?
“Uncertainty is the only certainty there is.”
What book or TV show are you reading/watching right now that you recommend?
The Pitt
What is your favorite cytokine?
Interferon Lambda!
——————
Connect with Tim on Bluesky: @nicelab.bsky.social
Lab website: https://www.ohsu.edu/school-of-medicine/nice-lab