The study of mast cell biology and the identification and characterization of receptors, signaling networks and mediators contributing to mast cell-related pathology.
Ana Olivera, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Associate Scientist, Mast Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases
Education:
Ph.D., Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Dr. Olivera received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Spain, and relocated to the US with a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Georgetown University, Washington DC, where she later became a Research Assistant Professor.
Yun Bai, M.S. (She/Her/Hers)
Biologist
Education:
M.S., University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Languages Spoken: Chinese
Focus is on the studies of the genetic analysis and specific gene expression related with human mast cell diseases. Provides research assistance on the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases and clonal mast cell disorders.
Geethani Bandara, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Biologist
Education:
University of Pittsburgh
Languages Spoken: Sinhala
Geethani Bandara received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. She joined the Mast Cell Biology Section in 2008. Her research interests are the identification and characterization of mast cell receptors and their contribution to pathogenesis of mast cell associated diseases.
Guido Falduto, Ph.D. (He/Him/His)
Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Biology, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Projects include contribution of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in mast cell biology, as well as the molecular, functional and pharmacological outcomes in mast cells containing the common KIT variants D816V and/or V560G.
Andrea Luker, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Research focuses on germinal center reactions and antibody responses to murine models of inflammation. Specializes in high-parameter flow cytometry.
Annika Pfeiffer-Daniels, Ph.D (She/Her/Hers)
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Genetics, Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Languages Spoken: German
Dr. Annika Pfeiffer received her Ph.D. in genetics and cell biology from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. She joined the Mast Cell Biology Section as a postdoctoral fellow in 2019. Dr. Pfeiffer’s research interest is to understand the formation, characteristics and functions of extracellular vesicles secreted by mast cells.
Yuzhi Yin, M.D., Ph.D. (He/Him/His)
Biologist
Education:
Beijing Medical University
Languages Spoken: Chinese
Involved in improving culture of Human mast cells. Investigating the expression and function of CD25 and CD30 in mastocytosis patients. Also, evaluates basophil activation in mastocytosis patients.
Former Research Group Members
Valerie Hox, M.D., Ph.D.- Assistant Professor Otorhinolaryngology, Cliniques universitaires, Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
Rosa Muñoz-Cano, M.D., Ph.D.- Assistant Professor Pneumonology department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Joseph M. Kulinski, Ph.D.- Regulatory Science Biologist, CBER, FDA
Araceli Tobio-Ageitos, Ph.D.- Assistant Professor, Pharmacology Department, Veterinary School, University of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
Do-Kyun Kim, Ph.D.- Full Professor, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
Andrea Naranjo-Erazo, Ph.D.- OITE Research Ethics Training Coordinator, NIH, Bethesda, MD