Assistant Professor
Boston Children's Hospital
I am an Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. My lab focuses on identifying molecular mechanisms of megakaryocyte development that lead to enhanced platelet production and how inflammation affects megakaryocyte function. My lab uses inflammation as a model of exacerbated hematopoiesis that results in differences in platelet quality and quantity in order to 1) gain a better understanding of the basic biology of megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production, 2) identify TPO independent pathways of megakaryocyte maturation, and 3) determine ways to reduce platelet-related morbidity and mortality in inflammation. Our long-term goal is to identify TPO-independent pathways of megakaryocyte maturation that result in novel therapeutics to treat platelet disorders. In addition to the impact of inflammation on platelets, we also have a deep interest in the direct role of megakaryocytes as immune cells. Current lab projects are focused on 1) using the chemokine CCL5 and platelet extracellular vesicles to enhance megakaryopoiesis and platelet production, 2) studying the role of lipids in megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production and 3) platelet and megakaryocyte dysfunction in systemic lupus.
I am also passionate about enhancing science diversity, communication and making research more globally accessible. During COVID-related lockdown in March 2020, I created, curated, and hosted the Blood and Bone Seminar Series. This was a daily seminar series for 6 months and bi-weekly for 6 months, and now continues to host montly world-renowned speakers in the fields of hemostasis/thrombosis and hematopoiesis. This is done using a free and open-access platform.
Saturday, July 9, 2022
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM
Sunday, July 10, 2022
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM