Rene's interest in infection and immunity began during his Master's research. He investigated the immunological responses in an invertebrate host against a parasitic worm infection. He shifted his focus from helminthic infections to protozoan in mammalian hosts after he entered the graduate program at UTMB. Through this experience, he has gained tremendous insignt in the fields of parasitology and Infection and Immunity, that he wants to continue in this field for the duration of his career. His career goal is to achieve a university postion as both an educator and an independent investigator. Research Project: The Role of Cytokines and Chemokines in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis