Research
The Donlin laboratory aims to increase understanding of the human immune system by analyzing patient samples with high-dimensional molecular technologies. Our projects are designed around clinical unmet needs of patients with autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders.
We have projects focused on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an arthritis condition that results from immune checkpoint inhibitors that are used to treat cancer, as well as myositis, prosthetic joint infections and synovial tumors. Further, our multidisciplinary teams participate in the NIH-industry sponsored Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) consortium that aims to identify novel drug targets in conditions such as RA, as well as the NIH Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF) consortium that examines how genetic and epigenetic differences impact human disease.
Through these collaborative projects, we aim to improve medical practice through basic science rigor and molecular-focused assays.
Current Projects:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – molecular patterns and optimized treatment
Immune checkpoint inhibitor arthritis (ICI-arthritis) – causes of autoimmune disease
Autoimmune muscle disease
Musculoskeletal tumors
Bio
Education
Postdoc/Instructor, Human Immunology, 2016, Hospital for Special Surgery
Postdoc, Epigenetics and Immunology, 2012, Rockefeller University
Ph.D., Signaling and Immunology, 2004, Columbia University
B.S., Biology, 1998, Villanova University
Distinctions
- 2017 Ben Pernis Memorial Lectures awardee, FASEB Autoimmunity Conference, Vermont
- 2014 American College of Rheumatology, Member
- 2012 NIH, NIAMS K01 Career Development Award
- 2006 NIH, NIAID F32 NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow
- 2004 Invitation to FEBS International Summer School on Immunology, Greece.
- 2003 PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellow
- 2001 Graduate Student Academic Honors Award, Columbia University, NY
- 1997 Howard Hughes Fellowship for Undergraduate Research, Case Western University, OH
- 1994-8 Cum Laude, Dean’s List, Bongiovanni PreMed Scholarship, Villanova University, PA