Current activity: I remained in Dr. Montgomery's laboratory after graduation and was appointed Research Assistant Professor in the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department here at Wayne State. I am looking forward to beginning work on my first NIH grant in April 2004. I am investigating the role of dendritic cells (DC) in the salivary secretory immune response to antigens presented in the oral cavity. An understanding of the function of DC at the inductive and effector sites and the effect of immunomodulators in regulating the outcome of the DC response will provide important information for the development of new and relevant vaccine strategies to optimize the induction of salivary IgA and thus protection of the oral cavity. In addition, I am collaborating with Dr. Montgomery in similar studies investigating the role of DC in ocular secretory immune responses.

Personal: Married (30 years) to Russell M. O'Sullivan who is a nuclear engineer working at the DTE Enrico Fermi Nuclear Power Plant.