معرفی
Katherine M. Buckley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University, where she leads an active research program focused on the evolution of animal immunity. Her work integrates molecular, genomic, and systems-level approaches to study immune responses in marine invertebrates, particularly the purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) and cnidarians such as Cassiopea and Ricordea florida.
Her research spans several key areas:
- Building gene regulatory networks (GRNs) for immune responses in vivo
- Characterizing hematopoiesis and immune cell differentiation in sea urchin larvae
- Exploring evolutionary mechanisms of immune diversity and conservation
- Investigating environmental impacts on the epigenome and immunity
- Studying copper's role in embryogenesis and cell death
- Understanding mucus-associated microbiomes in cnidarians
Her interdisciplinary research draws from immunology, systems biology, evolutionary biology, and computational genomics. She teaches immunology at both undergraduate and graduate levels (BIOL5200).
The lab's recent publications highlight a strong focus on innate immunity, gene regulatory mechanisms, and host-microbe interactions in non-traditional model organisms. Work frequently involves transgenic techniques, single-cell sequencing, and comparative genomics, revealing conserved principles and novel adaptations in immune system evolution.
Dr. Buckley has received funding from the NSF and collaborates with researchers such as Dr. Marie Strader at Texas A&M University. She advises graduate students and maintains an active research laboratory.
Her scientific contributions have been published in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, eLife, and Frontiers in Immunology.
She trained as a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Toronto, following a Ph.D. from The George Washington University.
