Robert O. Watson, Ph.D., MPH
Principle Investigator - Associate Professor
Ph.D.: Jorge Galan, Ph.D., Yale University
Postdoc: Jeffery Cox, Ph.D., UCSF
Interests: My lab is broadly interested in regulation of host innate immune responses in macrophages during intracellular bacterial infection and the macrophage/Mycobacterium tuberculosis host- pathogen interface. We are particularly interested in how Mtb gains access to the macrophage cytosol and the consequences of cytosolic access on innate immune outcomes. We are also working to understand how mitochondrial damage alters innate immune outcomes; in particular, we want to know why human mitochondrial mutations confer susceptibility to mycobacterial infection. We ask these questions via bacterial and mammalian genetics in macrophages ex vivo and in a mouse model of infection.
Email: robert.watson@tamu.edu
Kristin L. Patrick, Ph.D.
Principle investigator - Associate Proofessor
Ph.D.: Christian Tschudi, Ph.D., Yale University
Postdoc: Nevan Krogan, Ph.D. and Christine Guthrie Ph.D., UCSF
Interests: My lab studies post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression during the innate immune response in macrophages. We are broadly interested in how RNA binding proteins and components of the spliceosome are functionally specialized in response to pathogen sensing. We are currently working to understand how members of the SR and hnRNP families of splicing regulatory proteins control the maturation and stability of innate immune mRNAs. We also want to know how alternatively spliced protein isoforms perform distinct roles in innate immunity. Additionally, we seek to understand how intracellular bacterial pathogens like M. tuberculosis manipulate host gene expression by investigating secreted effector proteins that traffic to the macrophage nucleus.
Email: kpatrick03@tamu.edu
Current lab members
Chi Weindel, Ph.D.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Ph.D.: Brigette Huber, Ph.D., Tufts University
Interests: How does our immune system “know” when, or when not, to mount a proinflammatory response? I’m interested in gaining a better mechanistic understanding of the genetic and environmental factors involved in this question. To this end, my current work interrogates how mutations causing mitochondrial dysfunction dysregulate our immune system. I’m currently focusing on the role of LRRK2, a Parkinson’s disease associated kinase, on the innate immune system during M. tuberculosis infection.
Aja Coleman
GRADUATE STUDENT, MEDICAL SCIENCES
T32 IMSD Awardee
B.S. Trinity University
Interests: I am interested in the pathways that influence host-pathogen interactions and the pathogenesis of MTB
Eddie Martinez, M.S.
GRADUATE STUDENT, TAMU Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics; T32 IMSD Awardee
NIH/NIAID NRSA F31 Diversity Fellow
B.S. and M.S. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Interests: I am interested in cell signaling, Immunology, and bioinformatics.
Cory Mabry
GRADUATE STUDENT, MEDICAL SCIENCES
NIH/NIAID F31 Fellow
B.S. Texas A&M University
Interests: I am interested in host pathogen interactions and how pathogens exploit the host’s immune system to prolong infection. I am working to understand how Mycobacterium tuberculosis regulates the host immune pathways through manipulation of pathways associated with inflammatory responses.
Kaitlyn Armijo
GRADUATE STUDENT, MEDICAL SCIENCES
T32 IMSD Awardee
B.S. Baylor University
Interests: I am interested in nuclear paraspeckles and the role they play in regulating the innate immune response in macrophages.
Lily Ellzey
GRADUATE STUDENT, TAMU Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics
B.S. Angelo State University
Interests: I am interested in how pathogens and innate immune pathways induce cell death within host cells and how those various forms of cell death ultimately impact the immune outcomes. In particular, lipid oxidation and pathways associated with the generation of mitochondrial ROS are of interest to me.
Morgan Chapman
GRADUATE STUDENT: MD/PhD program
B.S. Texas A&M University
I am interested in understanding the role RNA plays in coordinating the immune response, to minimize immunopathology and immunocompromisation. I am focused on two projects; the first, looks at on how alternative splicing by the splicing factor hnRNPA2B1 affects the mobilization of Type I and Type II interferon responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The second, investigates the role of the Nuclear RNA Exosome in regulating nuclear and cytoplasmic type I interferon responses.
Rylee King
Undergraduate Research Assistant
TAMU Biomedical Sciences Major, Class of 2025
Mackenzie Smith
GRADUATE STUDENT, MEDICAL SCIENCES
B.S. Baylor University
Interests: I am interested in cancer-associated mutations in splicing factors and how they impact innate immune gene expression.
Jacob (Jake) Davis
GRADUATE STUDENT, MD/PhD Program
B.S. University of Oklahoma, Medical Humanities Scholars BA-MD Program
Interests: I am interested in how interplay between infectious diseases and the immune system can determine disease outcomes. Specifically, I am interested in how Mycobacterium tuberculosis can manipulate innate immune pathways to evade host defenses and prolong infection. I am studying the role of LRRK2, a large multi-functional kinase with mutations implicated in Parkinson disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and susceptibility to mycobacterial infection, in regulating pathways of innate immunity.
Savyasachi Dixit
Undergraduate Research Assistant
TAMU Bioichemistry Major, Class of 2024
Andrew Dlugosch
Undergraduate Research Assistant
TAMU Biomedical Sciences Major, Class of 2025
Former lab members
Nicholas Babb
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
B.S. University of Arkansas-Forth Smith
CURRENT POSITION: Associate Consultant Scientist at Eli Lily
Katie Grantham
RESEARCH ASSISTANT/LAB MANAGER
B.S. Texas A&M University
CURRENT POSITION: D.O. candidate at Midwestern University
Hannah Wilson
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
B.S. Texas A&M University
CURRENT POSITION: Ph.D. student at M.D. Anderson
Morgan Riba
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
P/W lab publications: Patrick et al. Cell Systems 2018.
CURRENT POSITION: M.D./Ph.D. candidate at University of Texas Medical Scientist Training Program at Houston
Kendall Green
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
B.S. Texas A&M University
Caitlyn Hoffpauir
GRADUATE STUDENT, MEDICAL SCIENCES
P/W lab publications: Hoffpauir et al., J Immunol. 2020
Kaitlyn Carter
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
P/W lab publications: Wagner et al., Front Immunology. 2021
CURRENT POSITION: GRADUATE STUDENT; TAMU Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics
Kayla Lopez
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
P/W lab publications: Bell et al., mBio. 2021
CURRENT POSITION: M.P.H. student at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health
Kelsi West
GRADUATE STUDENT, TAMU Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics
P/W lab publications: West et al., Cell Reports 2019; Wagner, Scott, West et al., Front Immunol 2021.
CURRENT POSITION: Bioinformatics Scientist at Catalyst Data Sciences
Pamela Ulloa-Franco
RESEARCH ASSISTANT/LAB MANAGER
B.A. Trinity College
Samantha Bell, Ph.D.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
P/W lab publications: Bell et al., mBio. 2021; Weindel, Bell, et al., eLife, 2020; Hoffpauir et al. J Immunol. 2020; Patrick et al. Cell Systems; 2018.
CURRENT POSITION: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR; Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Microbial Genetics; Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens; Rutgers NJMS
Krystal Vail, D.V.M.
GRADUATE STUDENT AND VETERINARY ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGY RESIDENT
CURRENT POSITION: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR; Tulane National Primate Research Center
Emily Mulloy
Undergraduate Research Assistant
TAMU Biology Major Class of 2024
Summer Apostalo
Undergraduate Research Assistant
TAMU Biology Major, Class of 2023
Timothy Fitzsimons, Ph.D.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
Ph.D. John Boyce, Ph.D. Monash University
Allison Wagner
GRADUATE STUDENT, MEDICAL SCIENCES
P/W lab publications: Wagner et al., Elife, 2022; Wagner et al. Front Immunol. 2021.
CURRENT POSITION: Scientist I; Adverum Biotechnologies
Michelle Tran
Undergraduate Research Assistant
TAMU Management Information Systems Major, Class of 2022
Sikandar Azam, Ph.D.
POSTDOCTORAL REASEARCH ASSOCIATE
Rhyston Broadhurst
Undergraduate Research Assistant
TAMU Biochemistry Major Class of 2024
Haley Scott
GRADUATE STUDENT, MEDICAL SCIENCES
NIH/NIGMS NRSA F31 Diversity Fellow