Expertise

Area(s) of Specialization:

  • T cell metabolism, Innate T cell biology, Innate and adaptive immune responses, cellular immunology

Kalyani Pyaram's research expertise is Cellular and molecular immunology. She is studying innate T cell biology and T cell metabolism.   

My research focuses on understanding the metabolic mechanisms governing the T cell mediated inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Currently we are looking into the role of Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant system in T cell development and effector functions.

On going projects:

  • Keap1-Nrf2 as metabolic checkpoint for CD4 T-cell effector responses in inflammation
  • Role of Antioxidant protein Nrf2 in metabolism and anti-tumor activities of cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells.
  • Role of ROS and cell metabolism in aging-associated changes in NKT cell inflammatory and tumor-surveillance functions.

Keywords: T-cells are vital immune cells which play a key role in fighting infections and cancer

Our group studies the aging-associated metabolic and functional changes in NKT cells with the aim of targeting them to improve NKT-cell mediated responses in elderly.

Dr. Pyaram's research expertise is in cellular immunology and immunometabolism. Her lab is interested in understanding the metabolic mechanisms governing the immune fate of CD4 (T helper) and CD8 (T killer) T-cells and to identify the factors or pathways that can manipulate the immune cell metabolism with the aim of targeting them for treating T-cell mediated immunopathogies including cancer.


Keywords: Biology – Studies how metabolism shapes the functions of immune cells responsible for cancer surveillance and tumor suppressive responses


Subject areas: Microbiology and Immunology

Affiliations

Assistant Professor, Division of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Kansas State University

Johnson Cancer Research Center, College of Arts and Sciences, Kansas State University

Department of Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Kansas

Past Affiliations

Research Investigator, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Michigan Health System, University of Michigan (past)

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Michigan Health System, University of Michigan (past)

Communities
Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Immunology, Microbiology
Degrees
Ph.D., Pune University, India, Biotechnology, 2012
MS, Pondicherry University, India, Biotechnology
BS, Osmania University, India, Microbiology