John Rizk

John Rizk serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, with affiliation at the Skin Immunology Research Center. His work bridges fundamental immunology and clinical applications in barrier tissue defense.

Research focuses on immune regulation at barrier sites, particularly examining how ubiquitin ligases govern γδ T cell and innate lymphoid cell (ILC) function during aging. Key interests include mucosal immunity, aging-related immune decline, and molecular mechanisms sustaining barrier integrity against pathogens. His laboratory investigates the cIAP family's role in maintaining type 3 immunity through specialized cellular interactions in skin and mucosal tissues.

Recent publications demonstrate that cIAP ubiquitin ligases critically sustain γδ T cells and ILC3 populations during aging, directly linking ubiquitin signaling to barrier immunity maintenance. This work establishes molecular pathways connecting proteostasis mechanisms with age-related immune dysfunction at barrier surfaces.

Dr. Rizk maintains active laboratory operations at the Skin Immunology Research Center, focusing on translational immunology with implications for age-related barrier diseases. His research program integrates molecular immunology approaches with in vivo aging models to dissect immune cell maintenance mechanisms.