2024-25 Innate Immunity Training Program Trainees

Alex Dinis (Medicine)
Alex is a PhD student in Dr. Egil Lien’s lab. He investigates inflammation and cell death signaling, particularly how immune cells rupture during cell death. Alex received a BS in Biology from Boston College.

Gavin Fujimori (Microbiology)
Gavin is a PhD student in Dr. Chris Sassetti’s lab. He utilizes the Collaborative Cross mouse model of genetic diversity to study cell death and immune responses to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Gavin received a BS in Biological Chemistry from the University of Chicago.

Emma Holt (Program in Molecular Medicine)
Emma is an MD/PhD student in Dr. Paul Greer’s lab. Her research focuses on the role of Ms4a receptors in monocytes in the context of neuroinflammatory disorders. Emma received her BA in Neuroscience and Behavior from Barnard College.

Jafira Johnson (Medicine)
Jafira is a PhD student in Dr. Megan Orzalli’s lab. Her research focuses on how tonic interferon signaling in the skin contributes host antiviral defenses. Jafira received her BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Jesse Lehman (RNA Therapeutics Institute)
Jesse is a PhD student in Dr. Athma Pai’s lab. His research focus is on how kinetic co-regulation of mRNA transcription, splicing, and degradation rates shape the timing of innate immune responses. Jesse received his BS in Biology and Biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Jessica Peura (Medicine)
Jessica is a PhD student in Dr. Jason Pitarresi’s lab. Her research focuses on studying the role of the innate immune system in pancreatic cancer immunosuppression during metastasis. Jessica received her BS and MS in Bioengineering from Northeastern University.