Ramiah Jacks, PhD
Assistant Professor
Surgery
Academic information
- Department: Surgery
Research interests
- Adipose Tissue T cells (ATTs) in Lean Adipose Tissue
- Obesity-associated Adipose Tissue Inflammation
- Insulin Resistance
- Immune Dysfunction
- ATT Subpopulation Frequency
- Mixed-Method Research
About
Biography
I have a PhD in Immunology from Loyola University Chicago. My research has a long-standing interest in the molecular regulation of the immune system. My graduate research includes a novel signaling pathway whereby Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) signaling acts to control T cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. To extend my knowledge of T cell regulation in the context of human health and disease, my postdoctoral work examined obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation.
My research interests center upon obesity-associated inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. The overall goal of my research program is to identify the mechanisms that promote the establishment and function of adipose tissue T cells (ATTs) in lean adipose tissue, and how ATTs contribute to the initiation, orchestration and maintenance of obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation and subsequent insulin resistance and systemic immune dysfunction observed with obesity.
I am very passionate about evidence-based best teaching practices and advancing the practice of mentorship. I will use my professional training in both teaching and mentorship to foster a laboratory environment aimed at promoting the success of my trainees while conducting impactful research.
I appreciate the commitment to innovation here in The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and the readily available resources that allow me to pursue highly complex research.
Credentials
Education
- BS - Biological Sciences
- DePaul University, Chicago, IL, United States
- PhD - Immunology
- Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Research
Research interests
- Adipose Tissue T cells (ATTs) in Lean Adipose Tissue
- Obesity-associated Adipose Tissue Inflammation
- Insulin Resistance
- Immune Dysfunction
- ATT Subpopulation Frequency
- Mixed-Method Research
- Trained Facilitator of the Entering Mentoring curricula by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER)
- NIH K12 Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) Postdoctoral Fellowship Recipient
- Michigan Nutrition Obesity Research Center (MNORC) Pilot and Feasibility Grant Recipient
- NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Individual Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Recipient
- NIH Training Grant in Experimental Immunology Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Recipient
- Widening Impact in Medicine and Science (WIMS) at The Ohio State University College of Medicine Media/Communications/Outreach Committee Member and Buckeye Wellness Innovator (BWI)