Balancing Our Microbiome
Dr. Kamada focuses on the bad actors of the microbiome—bacterial troublemakers that contribute to IBD pathogenesis.
Researchers
Below are researchers funded by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation who are working in the microbiome.
Iliyan Iliev, PhD
Associate Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine, Current Grantee
The Iliev lab studies the mechanisms by which fungal and bacterial symbionts interact with their host to influence immunity and homeostasis, or contribute to intestinal diseases, allergies and cancers.
Miguel Jimenez
Assistant Professor, Boston University, Current Grantee
Dr. Jimenez’s group develops material, genetic and fabrication approaches to enable integration of living microorganisms into products that can be used for human health, agriculture, the environment and art.
Nobuhiko Kamada, PhD
Professor, University of Michigan, Former Grantee
Dr. Kamada’s lab investigates how gut microbiota and host immunity interact in gastrointestinal health and disease. Their focus is on the mechanism by which certain pathogenic members of commensal bacteria promote chronic intestinal inflammation that leads…
Maia Kayal, MD
Assistant Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Current Grantee
Dr. Kayal specializes in the care of patients with gastrointestinal illnesses with a focus on ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Her current research interests include prediction and risk stratification in ulcerative colitis patients who need surgery.
Meghan Koch, PhD
Assistant Professor, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Current Grantee
The Koch lab studies maternal-fetal interactions, focusing on immunity, metabolism and the microbiota. They are working to identify novel pathways through which maternal-offspring interactions regulate neonatal health.
Ta-Chiang Liu, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Washington University in St. Louis, Former Grantee
The Liu lab is interested in the molecular mechanisms of how morphologic patterns of cytoplasmic antimicrobial granules are affected by genetics and environmental triggers, and their clinical relevance.
