Omid Akbari

Omid Akbari is a Professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. His research focuses on innate lymphoid cell biology and immune regulation in respiratory and metabolic diseases.

His primary research interests center on Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC2s) and their role in asthma pathogenesis, airway hyperreactivity, and metabolic disorders. Key areas include:

• Metabolic regulation of ILC2 effector functions
• Immune checkpoint modulation (VISTA, PD-1, BTLA, CD226)
• Neural-immune interactions in inflammation
• Spatial organization of immune responses in tissues
• Translational applications for asthma and diabetes

His publication trends reveal a strong emphasis on spatial immunology techniques (IMmuneCite workflow) and metabolic reprogramming of immune cells. Recent work connects ILC2 metabolism to airway disease and type 2 diabetes, with innovative approaches using cannabinoid receptors and iron regulation.

Akbari leads the Akbari Lab, which employs advanced methodologies including:

• Spatial proteomics and transcriptomics
• Genetically modified mouse models
• Humanized asthma models
• Metabolic flux analysis
• Immune checkpoint modulation studies