Ann Kee
Sexual Dimorphism in Mast Cell Signaling
Advisor: John Ryan, Ph.D., Department of Biology
Mast cells are the key player in asthma and allergies, and can be activated by IL-33. Interestingly, women are twice as likely than men to be diagnosed with asthma, have more severe symptoms, and are more likely to die from it. My research goal is to uncover the mechanisms that might explain why women have a stronger inflammatory response than men.