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Our laboratory is performing work that is at the forefront of establishing a greater understanding of the link between immune response and the lifestyle choices of the individual, such as dietary intake, focusing on hypernutrition and various macro- and micronutrients. This can range from a wide array of dietary alterations, from carbohydrate composition to the inclusion of alcohol to fat content. Our major aim is to understand the molecular mechanism by which lifestyle choices affect host metabolism, regulate immune cell function, and thereby modulate response to pathogens, cancer development and aging. We aim to develop experimental studies that mimic human dietary choices and utilize our novel animal models and engineered in-vitro models to understand the mechanisms through which diet effects the Gut-Liver-Immune cell axis and subsequently liver and colorectal cancer development. We aim to explore the pathways driving the interactions between altered host metabolism induced by diet and immunometabolism, particularly of cellular and humoral immunity, especially during the development of premalignant lesions. This may lead to the uncovering of potential immunity restoring interventions, such as the reversal of changes in histone modifications, acetylation and methylation patterns, or transcriptomic and proteomic modulation by modifying metabolite availability. We accomplish these studies utilizing emerging technologies such as novel animal models, Met-Flow, spatial transcriptomics, Mass spectrometry, microbiome analyses, WGS, and scRNA/ATAC-seq allowing for comprehensive analysis, which when used in conjunction with long term diet intervention, Cre-line targeting, CRIPR/Cas9 technologies and high-parameter flow cytometry serve as powerful tools to enrich our current knowledge. These insights may greatly expand our understanding of how the regulation of nutrient sensing pathways by dietary intervention modulate immunoediting and support tumor development, providing the knowledge needed to advance effective strategies for treatment and prevention.

See some example publications; Semin lmmunol. 2021 Feb;52:10147; PNAS 2023 May 9;120(19):e2300706120; PNAS, 2021 Feb 23;118(8):e2025840118, Nature. 2015 May 7;521(7550):94-8, J Clin Invest. 2015 Sep;125(9), Nature. 2017 Nov 16;551(7680):340-345.; Immunity. 2019 Jul 16;51(1):15-26, Annu Rev lmmunol. 2020 Apr 26;38:649-671).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The applicant will mainly work on a project awarded by Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) Team science award (https://www.curemelanoma.org/research/grants/) collaboratively funded by Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard University and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center with Title: Harnessing B cell checkpoints in melanoma. The aim is further to study the role of lifestyle and adaptive immune cells in hepatic metastatic niche (liver tropism in cancer).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must have a recent PhD in a related biomedical field, preferred immunology or cancer biology with strong interests and self-motivation for research.

POSITION INFORMATION

MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000 (https://trainees.mdanderson.org/apply/mdaPostdoctoralFellowStipendFY24.pdf) . depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. MD Anderson trainee compensation also includes:

Paid medical benefits (zero premium) starting on the first day for trainees who work 30 or more hours per week

Group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability coverage

Paid education, vacation, and sick leave

Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs

Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans

Employer-paid life, AD&D, and an illness-related reduced salary pay program

Health Savings Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement flexible spending accounts

Fertility benefits

State of Texas longevity pay

Extensive wellness, fitness, employee health programs, and employee resource groups01/31/2025

FACULTY MENTOR

Shabnam Shalapour, PHD