معرفی
Jeniffer Hernandez, PhD, serves as Associate Professor of Immunology at Keck Graduate Institute's School of Pharmacy since August 2015. Her expertise spans immunology, infectious disease, immunometabolism, and autoimmune disorders with specialized focus on Th17 cells and GPCRs. She actively contributes to academic instruction while leading the STEMwise outreach program for K-12 students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Education:
- B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), conducting research in Dr. Judith Lengyel's laboratory
- Ph.D. from University of California, Irvine under Dr. Craig Walsh, discovering DRAK2 kinase's role in autoimmune resistance
- Postdoctoral training at Salk Institute with Dr. Marc Montminy, identifying CREB's metabolic regulation of Th17 cells
Research Focus: Dr. Hernandez investigates Th17 cells' role in organ-specific autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Her laboratory identified GPCRs uniquely expressed on Th17 cells, demonstrating that GPR65 modulation alters cellular metabolism to reduce pathogenicity. This work pioneers targeted therapies that alleviate autoimmune symptoms without broad immunosuppression.
Publication Trends: Her 15 most recent articles reveal consistent progression from fundamental T cell signaling mechanisms (DRAK2 studies) toward therapeutic GPCR targeting. The research integrates immunology with metabolism, emphasizing CREB/CRTC2 pathway regulation of Th17 cells. Recent work (2022-2024) demonstrates GPR65 antagonists' efficacy in multiple sclerosis models, highlighting translational potential for precision autoimmune treatments.
Scientific Awards: No awards were documented in the provided materials.
Mentorship and Programs: Dr. Hernandez mentors students through classroom instruction and laboratory research while directing STEMwise - a K-12 outreach initiative expanding access to STEM education. Though specific research grants aren't detailed, her sustained publication record indicates active funding supporting Th17 cell and immunometabolism investigations.
Research Team: She leads a dedicated laboratory team studying GPCR-mediated immunometabolism in autoimmune contexts, focusing on developing Th17-targeted therapies that preserve systemic immune function while treating disease.
