Celia E. Shiau

Celia E. Shiau, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular control of macrophage activation and deactivation during development and homeostasis, with particular emphasis on neuroimmune communication in both brain and gut environments. Dr. Shiau leverages the unique strengths of zebrafish models to investigate macrophage biology from genes to cells to organismal behaviors.

Dr. Shiau's research program centers on macrophage biology, specifically examining how these versatile innate immune cells take residence in various organs, how they precisely switch on and off during immune responses, and how they coordinate with other cell types across organ systems. Her laboratory takes multidisciplinary approaches integrating live imaging, genetics, genome editing, functional genomics, and cell biology to uncover fundamental mechanisms of tissue development and homeostasis.

Analysis of Dr. Shiau's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on macrophage behavior in vivo, with particular interest in neuroimmune communication, cross-organ interactions, and the regulatory mechanisms controlling macrophage states. Her work spans multiple disciplines including immunology, neuroscience, developmental biology, and systems biology, with strong translational potential for understanding and treating inflammatory and neurological disorders.

Dr. Shiau's laboratory develops innovative tools integrating multi-omics data with targeted genetic studies and in vivo imaging to comprehensively dissect macrophage functions. Her research has implications for macrophage-targeted technologies and addressing public health challenges associated with inflammation and immune dysregulation.

The Shiau Lab maintains active research directions in three major areas: (1) Development and function of tissue-resident macrophages, (2) Cell-cell interactions between macrophages and other systems, and (3) Regulatory mechanisms of macrophage states. The lab utilizes zebrafish as a primary model system while employing cross-species experimentation to address evolutionarily conserved mechanisms relevant to human health.