UVIC, Assistant Professor
PhD
Lisa Reynolds
Research Focus
Metabolic determinants of therapeutic responses
We aim to identify molecules produced within the intestine by microbes and macrobes that can influence immune cell development and function. Ultimately our hope is that these molecules could be used therapeutically to promotes health during infectious or inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Reynolds received her Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. She moved to the University of British Columbia to complete her postdoctoral fellowship in the lab of Dr. Brett Finlay. Dr. Reynolds is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology at the University of Victoria.
Why do you study metabolism?
One of the core aims of our lab is to understand how organisms that can live in our guts (like parasitic worms or bacterial members of the microbiome) influence immune system function. One of the ways that these organisms “communicate” with our immune system is through small molecules like metabolites.
Why it fascinates you?
The complexity of the intestinal ecosystem fascinates me, and how our immune system, parasites and microbes have co-evolved multiple mechanism of interaction, which ultimately affect our health.