Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Meghan Rueda
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Mentor: Dr. Ann Griffith
Email: ruedam1@uthscsa.edu
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3232-7270
Education
2019 | PhD Molecular Immunology & Microbiology | University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio |
2014 | BS in Pre-Medical Biology | University of Texas-Pan American (UTRGV) |
Research
As a postdoctoral research fellow in Dr. Griffith's laboratory, I am interested in the unique lymphopoietic stromal microenvironment in the thymus. The thymus is a specialized primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation and development of T cells, which play a central role in the immune response. However, as we age the thymus atrophies, resulting in decreased production of new naïve T cells. Homeostatic expansion of memory T cells compensates for decreasing T cell generation, resulting in an oligoclonal T cell pool with diminished T cell receptor (TCR) diversity. These age-associated changes can lead to decreased responses to vaccines and infections, and increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Our goal is to identify mechanisms governing age-induced thymic dysfunction in order to delay or reverse declines in T cell immunity in the elderly.
Honors
2017 | American Society for Microbiology Special Topics Talk Invitation |
2017 | American Society for Microbiology Outstanding Student Abstract Award |
2017 | Ford Foundation Fellowship Honorable Mention |
2018 | American Society of Parasitologists (ASP) Travel Award |
2020 | UT Health San Antonio SABER (IRACDA) Scholar (NIH K12), Postdoctoral Fellow |
Professional Memberships
2013-2017 | American Society for Microbiology (ASM) |
2016-2019 | American Society of Parasitologists (ASP) |
2016-2019 | Women in Science: Outreach, Development & Mentorship (WISDOM) |
Publications
- Guzman, M.A., Rugel, A., Tarpley, R. S., Alwan, S.N., Chevalier, F.D., Kovalskyy, D.P., Cao, X., Holloway, S.P., Anderson, T.J.C., Taylor, A. B., McHardy, S. F., LoVerde, P.T. (2020). An iterative process produces oxamniquine derivatives that kill the major human species of schistosomes. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008517.
- Rugel, A., Guzman, M.A., Taylor, A. B., Chevalier, F.D., Tarpley, R. S., McHardy, S. F., Cao, X., Holloway, S.P., Anderson, T.J.C., Hart, P.J., LoVerde, P.T. (2020). Why does oxamniquine kill Schistosoma mansoni and not S. haematobium and S. japonicum?. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.04.001
- Guzman, M.A., Rugel, A., Tarpley, R. S., Cao, X., McHardy, S. F., LoVerde, P.T., Taylor, A. B. (2020). Molecular basis for hycanthone drug action in schistosome parasites. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. doi.org/10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111257
- Chevalier, F.D., Le Clec’h, W. McDew-White, M., Menon, V., Guzman, M.A., Holloway, S.P., . . Hart, J.P., LoVerde, P.T., Anderson, T.J.C. (2019). Oxamniquine resistance alleles are widespread in Old World Schistosoma mansoni and predate drug deployment. (2019) PLOS Pathogens. doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1007881
- Rugel, A., Tarpley, R. S., Lopez, A., Menard, T., Guzman, M. A., Taylor, A. B., . . McHardy, S. F. (2018). Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Novel Small Molecules as Broad Range Antischistosomal Agents. ACS Med Chem Lett, 9(10), 967-973. doi:10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00257