Department of Neurology, Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Project Title: Deciphering the Specificity and Molecular Mechanisms of Regulatory T Cells Using Novel Approaches
Award Year: 2022
Biography
Dr. Akkaya earned her M.D. degree from Hacettepe University in Turkey and her D.Phil. degree from the University of Oxford in the UK. She completed her postdoctoral studies at the Laboratory of Immune System Biology at NIAID. During her studies, she extensively researched T cell biology, focusing on various topics such as the modulation of the PD-1 pathway, T cell metabolism, and the mechanisms through which regulatory T cells (Tregs) regulate the immune system. Her research contributions have been acknowledged through the NIH Fellows Award of Research Excellence, the American Association of Immunology Thermofisher Trainee Achievement Award, the International Cytokine and Interferon Society Sydney and Joan Pestka Award for Excellence in Cytokine and Interferon Research, and the NIAID New Innovators Award (DP2). The primary objective of Dr. Akkaya's laboratory at the Ohio State University is to unravel the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between Tregs and antigen-presenting cells in the context of autoimmunity and cancer.