Craig Podszus

I am a third-year Microbiology and Immunology PhD student working in the laboratory of Dr. Brian Sheridan. My current work combines facets of gerontology, immunology, and microbiology to elucidate the mechanisms that drive immune aging among unconventional T cell populations. Under the clinical guidance of Dr. Charles Vorkas, an Infectious Diseases physician-scientist,  I will investigate how the gut commensal bacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila, impacts the functionality of IL-17A producing γδ T cells in the lungs of the elderly during respiratory infection. We aim to identify what microbial products modulate the presence and function of these T cell populations and how they can be leveraged for therapeutic purposes.

Graduate Advisor: Dr. Brian Sheridan
Clinical Mentor: Dr. Charles Vorkas