
Which autoimmune disease is newly linked to the Zika virus?
The ongoing Zika virus outbreak in South America has brought media and research attention to several rare neurological disorders.
My current research focus is aimed at characterizing changes in the bone marrow during disease and infection. During a virus infection, an immune response is rapidly induced. This immune response is required to kill the virus and infected cells. This immune response also causes changes in the bone marrow, which can alter immune cell production and bone health.
I also work with the NHMRC-funded Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma (www.severeasthma.org.au). In this role I have a strong focus on communications and translation of research findings into the clinic and education medical professionals.
I completed my PhD studies with Dr Kelly McNagny at The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, Canada (2010). My research focused on the role of CD34 (and the related molecule podocalyxin) in pre-clinical disease models.