Research Interests
My laboratory is interested in understanding how the gut microbiota and host immunity interact in gastrointestinal health and disease. Specifically, we have focused on the mechanism by which certain pathogenic members of commensal bacteria promote chronic intestinal inflammation that leads to the development of inflammatory bowel disease. We are investigating how potentially pathogenic members of commensal bacteria accumulate the gut and activate host immune cells. Likewise, we are studying how beneficial commensal bacteria compete with these pathogenic bacteria and regulate intestinal homeostasis.