Public Lecture Series: At the Crossroads of Immunity, Metabolism and Cancer
The cells that make up the immune system need fuel to function and they rely on metabolism — the complex system the governs energy in the body — to get it. But how exactly does metabolism power immune cells? And can we find ways to optimize this process to combat disease? Join Van Andel Institute postdoctoral fellows Dr. Mike Dahabieh, Dr. Joe Longo and Dr. McLane Watson for an inside look at how metabolism and the immune system work together to keep us healthy — and how new insights into their relationship may enable breakthroughs in cancer.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Russell Jones Laboratory
Dr. Michael Dahabieh explores the ways in which metabolism and the immune system interact in cancer development and progression. His research has extensive implications for developing new, immune system-based cancer therapies. Prior to joining VAI in 2020, Dr. Dahabieh earned his Ph.D. in experimental medicine from McGill University.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Russell Jones Laboratory
Dr. Joe Longo studies the ways diet impacts the immune system. In the future, he aims to translate this knowledge into nutrition-based strategies for boosting immunity and combating disease. He earned his Ph.D. from University of Toronto and joined VAI in 2020.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Russell Jones Laboratory
Dr. McLane Watson investigates how metabolism fuels our immune cells and shapes their function, with the goal of translating his findings into better cancer treatments. Dr. Watson earned a Ph.D. in tumor immunology from University of Pittsburgh before joining VAI as a postdoctoral fellow.
