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Nicolette Fonseca
PhD Student

Nicolette was our trend-setting graduate student, the first to join the team.  She generated beautiful data, persisted in Vancouver as we moved to Glasgow, graduated in 2018, and is now a super postdoc in the Vancouver Prostate Cancer Centre.

Research summary
My current research interests lie in elucidating the regulation of IL-10 during influenza infection. Pandemic influenza outbreaks such as those caused by the 1918 flu virus and the 2005 H5N1 strain are associated with severe lung pathology due to a dysregulated, overzealous immune response. The immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 plays a key role in restraining the pro-inflammatory response. But too much or too little IL-10 can negatively affect disease outcome. Therefore, I am interested in unraveling the molecular signals that regulate IL-10 expression. This will provide new insight in to mechanisms that balance effective immunity and immunopathology during respiratory disease.

Nicolette’s personal summary
I entered the Master’s program at UBC in September 2012, having lived and studied in India before. I enjoy living in Vancouver.  There are so many exciting things to do. I like hiking and taking evening strolls along the beach. I learnt to ski last winter and loved it! I’m hoping to conquer the blue runs this winter!


Picture
Updated Nov 2020