Education / Immunology Training Grant / Trainees / Current Trainee Bios

Current Trainee Bios

Emily Britt

Education: B.A. in Biology at Bryn Mawr College, M.S. University of Rochester in Immunology
Lab: Gill Lab
T32 Association: Trainee since July 2025
Research Interests: My dissertation research is focused on how we can leverage the gut microbiome to improve immune responses during obesity and type 2 diabetes related Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis. Obesity and diabetes are comorbidities that increase the incidence and severity of post-operative osteomyelitis, with S. aureus being the predominant infection agent. We use a diet-induced obese and type 2 diabetic (obese/T2D) mouse model to understand how obesity/T2D impairs the immune response to S. aureus infection, and how S. aureus exploits the metabolic environment of the host to cause more severe infections. Additionally, we explore how dietary oligofructose improves immunity towards S. aureus in the obese/T2D context.
Favorite Immune Cell: Macrophages! They are crucial for not only clearance of S. aureus but also wound healing following infection.
Fun Fact: I love trying new recipes and baking!

Education: B.S. in Biology at St John Fisher University, M.S. University of Rochester in Immunology
Lab: Gerber Lab
T32 Association: Trainee since September 2024
Research Interests: My research focuses on understanding how the immune system shapes tumor response to radiation therapy in rectal cancer. I investigate the role of type I interferon signaling in regulating the anti-tumor immune response. Using transcriptomic analyses of tumors that either respond or fail to respond to radiation, I study the biological pathways that drive response or resistance. My goal is to identify targetable mechanisms that can improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
Favorite Immune Cell: Monocytes, they are adaptable and versatile cells that enter tissues during infection or injury and differentiate into various cell types to aid in the immune response and maintain homeostasis.
Fun Fact: I love gardening, especially figuring out new ways to cook the absurd amount of zucchini I grow every summer.

Education: B.S. The University of Oklahoma
Lab: Yarovinsky Lab
T32 Association: Trainee since September 2025
Research Interests: My research interests are focused on the innate immune response in the lung to influenza A viruses. Specifically, I am interested in the crosstalk between alveolar and interstitial macrophages and their respective growth factors and surrounding cells during homeostasis and inflammation. My goal is to better understand the limitations of the innate immune response during viral infections and to leverage this knowledge for future vaccine and treatment enhancements.
Favorite Immune Cell: Macrophage (specifically alveolar macrophage)
Fun Fact: I run the department Instagram (follow! @urmc_imv_mbi) & I coach children’s soccer outside of the lab!

Education: B.S. Allegheny College, M.S. University of Rochester
Lab: Hammes Lab
T32 Association: Trainee since 2026
Research Interests: I'm working on understanding factors that exacerbate tumor growth in a rare disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis, or LAM. In modeling this disease, we have identified tumor intrinsic and immune intrinsic factors that contribute to tumor cell proliferation and migration. The immune component focuses on neutrophils, as we've discovered that neutrophil elastase contributes to tumor cell proliferation and migration, and that tumor factors in combination with estradiol augments the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils. I am working on understanding the role of NETosis- a form of neutrophil cell death that can release DNA, and proteins like neutrophil elastase - in LAM progression.
Favorite Immune Cell: Although I work with neutrophils, my favorite immune cells are dendritic cells! They have among the most important jobs in supporting innate immune responses and developing adaptive responses.
Fun Fact: I'm a big gardening fanatic. I always plant too much and I’m always looking for people in the summertime who want plants!

Education: B.S. Iowa State University, M.S. Duke University, M.S. University of Rochester
Lab: Thakar Lab
T32 Association: Trainee since 2025
Research Interests: Using a bioinformatics approach to characterize the cellular heterogeneity of circulating innate and adaptive immune cells within the pediatric population to investigate changes in cellular composition throughout early life as well as differences in CD4+ T cell sub-populations between healthy and food allergic pediatric individuals.
Favorite Immune Cell: Th2 cells
Fun Fact: I hiked from rim to river to rim of the Grand Canyon in a day (16.5 miles)! I love hiking and it’s on my bucket list to visit all of the US National Parks.