Lab members
We are always looking for new members! Contact us for postdoctoral, graduate, and technician opportunities.
Maria Bettini
Principle Investigator
Maria Bettini obtained her graduate degree from Emory University in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis in 2006. She then trained as a postdoc with Brian Evavold at Emory University and Dario Vignali at St Jude Children's Research Hospital with focus on T cell mediated autoimmunity.
Matt Bettini
Principle Investigator
Matt Bettini obtained his graduate degree from Emory University in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis in 2008. He then trained as a postdoc with Dario Vignali at St Jude Children's Research Hospital with focus on understanding TCR activation and regulatory T cell stability in autoimmune disease.
Hayley Reynolds
MD/PhD student
Hayley is interested in how early microbial colonization influences thymic T-cell development and autoimmune disease onset in the context of T1DM.
Georgina Oceguera
Graduate student
Gina is interested the role of dendritic cells in thymocyte development.
Joy Corley
Lab Manager
Joy keeps our lab running and tries to keep us out of trouble.
Kangkana Mitra
Graduate Student
Kangkana project is focused on TCR structure and mechanical forces that shape the interactions between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the peptide-MHCII complex.
Mackenzie Hansen
Graduate Student
Mackenzie is interested in improving CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors.
Favour Chibueze
Graduate student
Favour is interested in improving Treg therapies using genetic and epigenetic approaches.
Lydia Howell
Laboratory Technician
Lydia is providing technical support for
CAR-T cell projects in the lab.
Hilda Echelibe
Graduate Student
Hilda is interested in cancer immunotherapy, CAR signaling, and humanized models of cancer.
Maren Kenison
Lab tech and M&I Graduate Student
Maren is working towards understanding how cholesterol metabolism impacts T cell function.
Tessa Galland
Research Associate
Tessa obtained her MS in Medical Laboratory Sciences program. She is interested in Treg/APC interactions and the downstream effects on autoimmune T cell suppression.
Luke Gillen
Graduate Student
Luke is working towards understanding how cholesterol metabolism impacts T cell function.