As a PhD student, I work with the Thompson lab at OHSU to expand our understanding of the underlying mechanics responsible for T-cell recognition, antigen mimicry, and cross-reaction. We also incorporate interactions between the human immune system and gut microbiota to better understand the role of the gut microbiome in immunologic responses. While many of our projects are focused on cancer and immuno-therapeutic applications, these core concepts also have direct applications in better understanding the mechanics of autoimmune disorders.