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!
