Ken H. Cadwell PhD

Dr. Cadwell investigates how our immune system is regulated by the diverse infectious agents we encounter throughout life. The surfaces of our body, especially the gastrointestinal tract, harbors trillions of bacteria that are part of our microbiome. By influencing the way our immune system develops, these microbial colonizers play a role in conditions ranging from life-threatening infectious diseases to chronic disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. In his ongoing research, he is identifying key interactions between cellular processes and infectious agents that determine vulnerability to diseases. In particular, he has made progress in understanding how a process termed autophagy helps cells maintain their function in the presence of external threats. He has also uncovered important roles for the less understood viral and fungal members of the microbiome, known as the virome and mycobiome, respectively. Ultimately, he aims to apply this knowledge towards treating infectious and inflammatory diseases through restoring a balanced relationship between microbes and the immune system.