Ajitha Thanabalasuriar

Background

About Ajitha Thanabalasuriar

My research focuses range from understanding bacterial pathogenesis in an in vitro setting to observing complex immune cell functions in a live mouse. Currently as an Assistant Professor my laboratory is studying the affects e-cigarette vaping and severe injury or trauma on the innate immune system. We are using a combination of intravital microscope, flow cytometry, and transcriptomics to understand how e-cigs and trauma affect neutrophil and macrophage function. During my PhD I elucidate the mechanisms of action of an important virulence factor found in pathogenic E. coli. I used a combination of cell biology and biochemical approaches to understand pathways important in enteric E. coli infections and disease progression. As a Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary my research focused on understanding innate like lymphocyte activation in the lung pulmonary vasculature. I worked on several projects including: 1. Looking at iNKT cell activation and regulation during inflammation 2. Understanding the importance of pulmonary intravascular neutrophils in the clearance of blood-borne Pseudomonas infections. Understanding the role alveolar macrophages play in the development of lung fibrosis. As a Scientist 1, I am developing intravital techniques at Medimmune to better understand how the lung microbiota affects the pulmonary immune system. I am working in antibody-based drug therapies.