B.S., Chemistry, 2010, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Research: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease mediated by macrophages of large and medium-sized arteries, and the main underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, a major cause of mortality worldwide.  Atherosclerosis is caused by the over-accumulation of modified low-density lipoproteins (e.g. oxLDL) in the artery wall. The uptake of oxLDL by macrophages leads to the generation of lipid-laden “foam” cells that exhibit a pro-inflammatory phenotype and contribute to atherosclerotic progression. However, it is unclear if the lipid-laden characteristic of foam cells directly contributes to their pro-inflammatory state. We are currently investigating the mechanisms by which intracellular hyperlipidemia regulates foam cell inflammatory activity.