Meet our team

I carried out my doctoral research at Duke University investigating the modulation of mast cell functions by pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D in the context of allergy. I then worked first at Seattle BioMed (now called Seattle Children’s Center for Global Infectious Disease Research) then at Oregon Health and Science University, to develop HIV Envelope-based preclinical vaccines initially as a postdoctoral fellow then as staff scientist. I moved to the University of Texas Medical Branch to lead projects assessing vaccine candidates for their immunogenicity and efficacy against filoviruses and SARS-CoV-2. I joined the Messaoudi laboratory as lab supervisor when it moved to the University of Kentucky in the Fall of 2021.  

Hello, My name is Brianna Doratt (she/they). I’ve been in the Messaoudi lab for 7 years! I started as an undergrad at the University of California, Irvine where I helped on a project studying the impact of long term-controlled HIV in the elderly. I followed that up with a Master’s project identifying exosomal miRNA biomarkers of alcohol consumption. When Dr. Messaoudi moved to the University of Kentucky in 2021, I joined as the Lab manager to continue the research I found so exciting. I am especially interested in continuing work on viral pathogenesis and viral interactions with the host to help answer molecular questions that may impact the treatment or care plans of individuals that are affected. Ive been able to grow exponentially as a scientist in this lab, perfecting cutting-edge technology including single cell omics and bioinformatics.

Hello, I’m Sheridan. I am spending a few gap years broadening my research experience before pursuing an MD-PhD. My desire to explore immunology originated from its pertinence to all medical fields. Witnessing my family’s and my own medical treatment, the immune system has frequently been conveyed as an abstract entity and its impacts occasionally skirted around, which has helped motivate me to better understand it. Immunology is a rapidly advancing field and I have had the pleasure of working on numerous state-of-the-art techniques with clinical samples relevant to current health concerns such as opioid consumption and the East Palestine train derailment.

I received my PharmD/MS from Pacific University, Oregon in 2019 where my research was focused on nicotine metabolism and toxicology. I was also heavily involved in the community through drug take-back and harm reduction programs. My interest in immunology began early in pharmacy school while learning about antibody therapeutics and CAR T cell therapies and later on during internships focused on antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention. I am currently a 5th year PhD Candidate in the Messaoudi lab, where the focus of my dissertation is on the impact of maternal opioid use on maternal, placental, and fetal immunity. After graduation, I am eager to pursue a position in academia where I can lead a clinical research team, promote community outreach, and develop/implement course material for pharmacy/medical students. Outside of the lab, I enjoy oil painting, reading Stephen King novels, gardening, and caring for my two COVID foster-fails Storm and Rainier.

Hi—my name is Madison and I am from Big Stone Gap, Virginia! I am a PhD candidate in the Pharmaceutical Science Program. When I joined the lab, I had the opportunity to investigate the passive transfer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from mom to neonate. This paper gained media attention not only from University of Kentucky but local news stations as well allowing us to establish a platform to advocate for life-saving vaccines across the Commonwealth. For my dissertation, I am studying the impact of alcohol use disorder on the immune system as there is a high incidence of alcohol misuse within the Appalachian region, where I am from. Ask anyone around me and they will tell you that I ask a lot of questions- ‘why?’ being at the top of the list. Studying immunology allows me to ask this question about complex disease states and explore how alterations on a cellular level contribute to big picture changes.

I am a 4^th year graduate student in the Messaoudi Lab. I was drawn to immunology and host-microbe interactions because it is fascinating to learn how the body can meet that perfect balance of mounting a strong immune response to invaders without harming self. In fact, when this delicate balance is disrupted is when diseases start to present. We are trying to understand the mechanisms that ruin the balance so that we can ultimately put everything back in order. I am particularly interested in the role of the microbiome in health and disease. For my dissertation, I am investigating why nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) causes more severe pulmonary disease (NTMPD) in older individuals. I am also studying how Lyme disease and chronic alcohol consumption disrupt microbial communities and the subsequent impact of this dysbiosis on pathophysiology.

I graduated with a master’s degree in applied Genetics. After receiving a Ph.D. scholarship, I pursued my Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics at the National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), where my research focused on developing gene and cell therapy approaches for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Through this work, I recognized the critical role of neuro-inflammation in these diseases, which led me to further investigate the inflammatory response at the molecular level. To deepen my understanding, I joined the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology as a postdoctoral fellow, studying how transcriptional changes, epigenetic modifications, and chromatin interactions regulate inflammation. Building on this foundation, I later joined the Messaoudi laboratory as a computational biologist to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving immune responses. Apart from my deep dive into the world of immunology, I have another passion—traveling! I love exploring new places, meeting people from all walks of life, and immersing myself in different cultures. Science may fuel my curiosity, but traveling feeds my soul!

I obtained my BS.c. degree in Genetics and my MS.c. degree in Biotechnology. My doctoral research focused on the combination of chemotherapy and microRNA-based therapies to counteract chemoresistant cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Following the completion of my PhD, I undertook a year-long research project investigating the effects of albumin modifications on immune cells. My early research endeavors were concentrated on cancer cell biology. However, recognizing the pivotal role of the immune system, my focus has since transitioned to exploring how various conditions, including malignancies and substance abuse, affect immune cell dynamics. This is why, during my initial postdoctoral experience, I investigated the impact of breast cancer on the production, functionality, and phenotypic characteristics of neutrophils. My prior research experience fostered a keen interest in studying hematopoiesis, the process of blood cell production in the bone marrow. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work in Dr. Messaoudi’s lab on monopoiesis and the interaction of different bone marrow resident cells in the context of alcohol

My name is Qi Qiao and I am a bioinformatics analyst in the College of Public Health. I graduated from the Northeast Forestry University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Then I earned my Master’s degree in 2016 from Rutgers University and my PhD from the University of Oklahoma in 2020 in Chemical Engineering. I joined Dr. Messaoudi’s lab in January 2023 and started my exploration of immunology and host-microbe interactions. I enjoy decoding the complex interactions within the immune system and how interactions influence our health and disease states and working with everyone in the lab!

I just graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and am taking a gap year or two before I start graduate school. My clinical interests are in immunology and host microbe interactions, and I am excited to grow my immunology knowledge as a laboratory technician within the Messaoudi Lab. I am captivated and intrigued by the intricacies and crossover between the immune system and other systems within the body. When I am not in the lab you can find me either on the lake, hiking, fishing, or just hanging out outdoors with a good book.

Hey y’all! I am a senior chemistry major at the University of Kentucky and started working in the Messaoudi lab fall of 2022. I love immunology because I find it fascinating that microscopic cells and viruses can have such profound impacts on our daily lives. My favorite project that I have been a part of studies the effects of NTM infections on the aging immune system.

I am an undergraduate studying biology at the University of Kentucky  and minoring in Classic languages. I love immunology because it involves molecular genetics and allows me to work with related methods. I’ve most enjoyed working on the Global Lyme Alliance project, as finding the effects of Lyme disease on the immune system holds great importance. 

Hello! My name is Katie Keen (she/they), and I’m a recent UK graduate working as a laboratory technician within the Messaoudi Lab. I’m currently preparing for a career in academia with a focus on science communication and outreach to under-represented groups. My research interests include, but are not limited to, viral pathogenesis, immunology, and evolution, as well as the development of next-generation vaccine platforms. I’m particularly drawn to studying immunology and host-microbe interactions because these disciplines lie at the cutting edge of biomedical research and methodology and are altogether central to understanding human physiology and pathology in the modern age.

I am a second year student in the MD/PhD program here at the UK College of Medicine. My clinical interests are in the field of internal medicine, and I’m thrilled to pursue my PhD in the Messaoudi lab, where I will be studying the immune landscape of pregnancy, and its relationship with opioid use. I am fascinated by the immune system’s defense against external invaders and its interaction with internal neighbors, as well as the delicate balance of its regulation, all of which have enormous impacts on health and disease. As a future physician-scientist, I am passionate about exploring the role of the immune system in many states in which it is often overlooked, including pregnancy, substance use, metabolic disease, and more. When I’m not in the lab or in class, you can find me growing heirloom tomatoes, playing the viola or the banjo, reading, baking, or hiking in the Gorge with my wife, Gwen.