Jeff has a long-standing interest in Infection and Immunity. As an undergraduate student at Washington State University, he conducted research focused on elucidating the effector function of a subset of gamma delta T-lymphocytes in ruminants, as well as research aimed at determining the role of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in Anaplasma marginale infection. Currently, as an M.D./Ph.D. student at UTMB, Jeff is interested in the immunobiology of dendritic cells and their role(s) in clearance of intracellular pathogens. Jeff plans to study the early interactions of rickettsiae and dendritic cells with the expectation of elucidating the critical mechanisms necessary for inducement of protective immunity. Research Project: The Role of Dendritic Cells in Rickettsial Infection.